Shakespeare's Life and Writings

Question 1

How many different ways of spelling his name did Shakespeare himself use?

Accepted Answer

Six.

Question 2

How many groupings have the sonnets conventionally been divided into?

Accepted Answer

Two: 1 - 126 (to a fair youth), 127 - 154 (to a dark lady)

Question 3

Which of these sentences describe Hamlet, Prince of Denmark?

Accepted Answer

A complex and sensitive idealist paralysed by indecision.

Question 4

How long after Shakespeare's death did his friends Heminge and Condell publish the First Folio?

Accepted Answer

In 1623, seven years after his death.

Question 5

Should we believe Shakespeare wrote the plays and poems himself until the contrary is proven?

Accepted Answer

Yes (but perhaps Emilia Lanier did write some of it ), Yes (it's like saying global warming isn't real), Yes (it's the proper science way of doing things), Yes (it's like saying Santa is really a reindeer)

Question 6

To whom did Shakespeare dedicate his sonnets?

Accepted Answer

The Earl of Southampton, Sir Henry Wriothesley

Question 7

Are you ready to start looking at the "to be or not to be" soliloquy?

Accepted Answer

Why of course, Jacob!, Bring it on!, By all means, let's begin!, Sure thing, pal!

Question 8

Which of these jobs did Shakespeare hold when he first arrived in London?

Accepted Answer

He held the theatre-goers' horses outside playhouses.

Question 9

In which year and where was Shakespeare born?

Accepted Answer

Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564.

Question 10

Whom did Shakespeare marry at the tender age of 18, and how much his senior was she?

Accepted Answer

Anne Hathaway 8 years his senior

Question 11

There's something interesting about the day Shakespeare died - what is that?

Accepted Answer

It's the same day as his birthday (April 23rd)

Question 12

What's the name of the company of actors which Shakespeare eventually joined?

Accepted Answer

The Lord Chamberlain's men.

Question 13

How were the Bad Quortos different from the First Folio?

Accepted Answer

They were made from notes and full of gaps and mistakes.

Question 14

How many periods do scholars set the plays in, and in which period was Hamlet written?

Accepted Answer

Four periods, and Hamlet was written in the third period.

Question 15

How many plays and sonnets did Shakespeare write?

Accepted Answer

Thirty-seven plays and 154 sonnets.

Question 16

What were the names of his and Anne Hathaway's three children?

Accepted Answer

Susanna, Hamnet, and Judith

Question 17

What is the common belief about why Shakespeare left Stratford to go to London?

Accepted Answer

He left to avoid being arrested for poaching.

Question 18

Why do some scholars - even today - doubt that Shakespeare wrote the plays himself?

Accepted Answer

How could someone with his background write such plays?, His death went totally unnoticed., There is no mention of returns from plays in his will., He had no formal education apart from grammar school.

Shakespeare's Life and Writings

Questions 18

Shakespeare's Life and Writings

Questions 18