How much do you know about William Shakespeare?

Question 1

Which Shakespeare play begins with three witches casting spells?

Accepted Answer

Macbeth

Question 2

Which of the following singers had a hit song called 'Love Story' based on Romeo & Juliet?

Accepted Answer

Taylor Swift

Question 3

Shakespeare wrote a play called 'The Taming of the Shrew'. What is a 'shrew'?

Accepted Answer

a small mammal

Question 4

Which King or Queen ruled England for most of Shakespeare's life?

Accepted Answer

Elizabeth the First

Question 5

So Shakespeare was born in 1564 and died in 1616. How old was he when he died?

Accepted Answer

52

Question 6

How many plays did Shakespeare write (there is some dispute about the exact number)?

Accepted Answer

Around 37

Question 7

A coloured flag would be hoisted on the Globe to indicate the genre of play. Tragedy would be?

Accepted Answer

Black

Question 8

As well as being a successful playwright, Shakespeare was also a very successful ...?

Accepted Answer

businessman

Question 9

What term is given to a group of characters who recite the prologue / introduction to each act?

Accepted Answer

chorus

Question 10

How much did it generally cost for MOST audience members to watch a play at the Globe?

Accepted Answer

one penny

Question 11

How many sonnets did Shakespeare write?

Accepted Answer

154

Question 12

What happened to the original Globe Theatre?

Accepted Answer

A cannon shot set fire to the roof and it burned down

Question 13

How old was Shakespeare when he was married?

Accepted Answer

18

Question 14

Anne and William had three children including a set of twins. What were the names of the twins?

Accepted Answer

Judith and Hamnet (with an 'n')

Question 15

Before he became famous for writing, what profession did young Shakespeare (probably) have?

Accepted Answer

teacher, glove maker, actor

Question 16

What term is given to a speech by a character in which private thoughts are expressed aloud?

Accepted Answer

soliloquy

Question 17

To whom did Shakespeare marry?

Accepted Answer

Anne Hathaway

Question 18

Which of the following films is based on a play by Shakespeare?

Accepted Answer

10 Things I Hate About You, She's the Man, The Lion King

Question 19

Shakespeare was born in 1564. In which year did Shakespeare die?

Accepted Answer

1616

Question 20

In 'Titus Andronicus', Titus invites his enemies for a meal of pie with which filling?

Accepted Answer

his enemies' children

Question 21

Shakespeare was from Stratford upon Avon. What is Avon?

Accepted Answer

a river

Question 22

What horrible disease, common during Shakespeare's time, often led to the closure of theatres?

Accepted Answer

bubonic plague

Question 23

Who of the following is NOT a character from 'Romeo & Juliet'?

Accepted Answer

Hamlet

Question 24

Where did Shakespeare attend university?

Accepted Answer

He didn't attend

Question 25

Some of the moons of which planet in our solar system are named after Shakespearean characters?

Accepted Answer

Uranus

Question 26

Shakespeare's plays often feature which kind of characters?

Accepted Answer

star-crossed lovers, supernatural, famous historical figures, royalty

Question 27

What is the name of the famous open theatre many of Shakespeare's plays were performed in?

Accepted Answer

The Globe

Question 28

Shakespeare wrote a play called 'The Tempest'. What is a 'tempest'?

Accepted Answer

a storm

Question 29

The title of which Shakespeare play is rumoured to bring bad luck if said on stage?

Accepted Answer

Macbeth

Question 30

An historical play would have what colour flag (usually plenty of blood)?

Accepted Answer

Red

Question 31

Approximately how many words did Shakespeare create and add to the English language?

Accepted Answer

1700

Question 32

When was William Shakespeare born?

Accepted Answer

1564

Question 33

A comedy would have what colour flag?

Accepted Answer

White

Question 34

How old was Anne Hathaway when she married Shakespeare?

Accepted Answer

26

Question 35

Which Shakespeare play features the line, "To be, or not to be - that is the question."

Accepted Answer

Hamlet

Question 36

Approximately how many people could fit into the Globe theatre during Shakespeare's time (max)?

Accepted Answer

3000

Question 37

What was the profession / job of Shakespeare's father?

Accepted Answer

glove maker

Question 38

Which of the following is a character name used by Shakespeare in his plays?

Accepted Answer

Bottom, Moth, Elbow, Dogberry

Question 39

What town is normally associated with Shakespeare?

Accepted Answer

Stratford

Question 40

Where would the 'common' audience members sit during a performance at the Globe?

Accepted Answer

at ground level in the pits

Question 41

Which of the following is an anagram of William Shakespeare?

Accepted Answer

I am a weakish speller

Question 42

Which Shakespeare play is about a famous Roman general?

Accepted Answer

Julius Caesar

Question 43

Therefore, the 'common' audience members would also be referred to as .... ?

Accepted Answer

groundlings

Question 44

In which Italian city is Romeo & Juliet set?

Accepted Answer

Verona

Question 45

Which of the following plays was NOT written by Shakespeare?

Accepted Answer

Animal Farm

Question 46

Why were Shakespeare's plays performed during the day at the Globe Theatre?

Accepted Answer

there was no other reliable source of lighting

Question 47

In which country was Shakespeare born?

Accepted Answer

England

Question 48

What term is given to a poem or verse of 14 lines and 10 syllables in each line?

Accepted Answer

sonnet

Question 49

So if Shakespeare died in 1616, approximately how many years ago did he die?

Accepted Answer

400

Question 50

What was unusual about the performers in Shakespeare's plays during this time?

Accepted Answer

they were all male

How much do you know about William Shakespeare?

Questions 50

How much do you know about William Shakespeare?

Questions 50