Shakespeare Trivia Quiz

Answer: 23rd April

Shakespeare is said to have been born on St. George's day, April 23rd and this may be the true day because records show that he was baptised on 26th April 1564 at the Holy Trinity parish church, in Stratford. He was christened Gulielmus (William) Filius Johannes Shakespeare. 'Filius' means 'son' [of].

Answer: Mary Arden

Mary Arden was the daughter of a Wilmcote gentleman farmer called Robert Arden. She was the youngest of eight daughters and her family had been prominent in Warwickshire since before the Norman conquests. Her father was Richard Shakespeare's landlord, and Richard was the father of John, so Mary may have known him from childhood.

Answer: Glover

John Shakespeare was a glover and a leather worker. He was born a commoner in the village of Snitterfield near Stratford and moved to Stratford upon Avon at the age of twenty, where he managed to elevate himself into a higher class.

Answer: At school

Shakespeare would have taken part in the acting of plays in Latin while he was at school, and this would have been his first experience of theatre. However, travelling players did come to Stratford and as a member of the family of a council official Shakespeare would have had a front row seat.

Answer: Sheriff

John Shakespeare was the son of Richard Shakespeare who was a farmer in the village of Snitterton near Stratford, but in 1551 he came to Stratford and was successful in his business as a glover and became a member of the local council. He started as ale taster, checking that the ale was not watered down too much, and having held several other posts became High Bailiff.

Answer: Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway was the eldest of eight siblings and was the daughter of Richard Hathaway, a farmer. They lived in a farmhouse called Hewland Farm in the village of Shottery, which was one mile from Stratford.

Answer: 18

When they married William was eighteen years old and Anne was twenty-six. They were married in November of 1582 and their first child was born in April 1583, so it was obviously a 'shotgun wedding'. At the age of 26 Ann was close to being an old maid which was simply not an option in those times, so the pregnancy may have been deliberate to encourage William's father to agree to his son's marriage at such a young age. Anne's family were quite wealthy which may have also helped.

Answer: King Henry VIII

King Henry VIII was the last play William Shakespeare wrote as a solo effort. After this he wrote a play called 'Two Noble Kinsmen' with fellow writer John Fletcher. The plot was based on the 'Knight's Tale' by Geoffrey Chaucer,

Answer: 3

Susannah was William and Anne's first child, and she was followed by twins, son Hamnet and daughter Judith. Their son Hamnet, who was named after William's friend Hamnet Sadler, died at the age of eleven. The cause of death is unknown.

Answer: Christopher Marlowe

There is little evidence that Shakespeare wrote the plays but also little evidence to throw doubt on his authorship. Many names have been suggested as the true author. Even Queen Elizabeth I has been put forward! However, Christopher Marlowe remains the most popular suggestion. Most scholars of Shakespeare and Shakespearian actors are in no doubt that William from Stratford is the true author.