30+ Shakespeare Trivia Questions (And Answers) For Ultimate Literary Buffs | Kidadl

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30+ Shakespeare Trivia Questions (And Answers) For Ultimate Literary Buffs

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Ever found yourself getting lost in the poetic dialogue of 'Romeo And Juliet' or perhaps the gripping tragedy in 'Macbeth'? For those who fancy themselves the ultimate Shakespeare buffs, we've got a delightful challenge for you: a set of Shakespeare trivia quizzes. This trivia is not just a fun test of your bardic knowledge; it also offers some surprising facts that might leave you speechless.

Considered one of the greatest writers in the English language, Shakespeare's works have been inspiring, entertaining, and, yes, sometimes befuddling readers for centuries. The intricate plots of his plays were a tapestry woven with threads of mystery, great star-crossed romance, and a generous dash of comedy. From the brooding tragedy of 'Hamlet' to the rom-com 'Much Ado About Nothing', Shakespeare has given us a library's worth of brilliant plays that span across different genres. So, if you're ready to show off your Shakespearean smarts, jump right in.

Shakespeare: Interesting Facts

Ready for a brain-tingling adventure? Let's unearth some fascinating secrets about the one and only William Shakespeare. Did you know this brilliant bard created over 1,700 words used in the English language, despite never stepping foot in a university? Buckle up, because we're about to dive into more intriguing tidbits about Shakespeare's curious and colorful life with this fun-filled quiz.

1. Question: In which year was William Shakespeare born?

Answer: 1564.

2. Question: Who was often regarded as the biggest rival of William Shakespeare?

Answer: Christopher Marlowe.

3. Question: What was the name of Shakespeare's wife?

Answer: Anne Hathaway.

4. Question: What was the name of Shakespeare's mother?

Answer: Mary Shakespeare.

5. Question: In which year did William Shakespeare marry Anne Hathaway?

Answer: 1582.

6. Question: How many sonnets did Shakespeare write?

Answer: 154.

7. Question: How many children did Shakespeare and his wife have?

Answer: Three.

8. Question: When did William Shakespeare die?

Answer: April 23, 1616.

9. Question: Where was Shakespeare buried?

Answer: Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom.

Shakespeare's Plays Trivia

From humble beginnings with the Lord Chamberlain's Men acting troupe to becoming an iconic playwright, Shakespeare's journey was as exciting as his plays. His mind was an extraordinary theater of life, love, mystery, and more! Let's test your knowledge and learn some cool facts about Shakespeare's plays and his life as a playwright.

10. Question: Which was the first play by Shakespeare to be printed in quarto?

Answer: 'Titus Andronicus'.

11. Question: What is Shakespeare's shortest play?

Answer: 'The Comedy Of Errors'.

12. Question: In which theater was Shakespeare's first play performed?

Answer: The Globe.

13. Question: What is the name of Shakespeare's longest play?

Answer: 'Hamlet'.

14. Question: Which was the first published collection of Shakespeare's plays, produced in 1623, seven years after his death?

Answer: 'The First Folio'.

Most popular Shakespeare books

William Shakespeare Quotes Trivia

Who hasn't quoted a Shakespeare line at least once? Shakespeare's unforgettable characters are forever etched in our minds, especially through their iconic dialogues. Now, it's time to see if your Shakespeare knowledge extends to the amazing dialogues from his plays. It's a fun way to revisit his timeless works and learn something new about them. So, warm up those brain cells, and let's play this trivia game!

15. Question: In which play was this quote used: "If music be the food of love, play on."?

Answer: 'Twelfth Night'.

16. Question: Which of William Shakespeare's characters said this famous quote: "What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet?"?

Answer: Juliet, 'Romeo And Juliet'.

17. Question: "To be, or not to be, that is the question" is a line from which tragic play by Shakespeare?

Answer: 'Hamlet'.

18. Question: Who said this famous quote, "All the world's a stage", in one of Shakespeare's plays?

Answer: Jaques, in 'As You Like It'.

19. Question: Which of William Shakespeare's characters said, "Parting is such sweet sorrow"?

Answer: Juliet, 'Romeo And Juliet'.

20. Question: "Et tu, Brute", was used in which of Shakespeare's plays?

Answer: 'Julius Caesar'.

21. Question: "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!" is a quote from which of Shakespeare's plays?

Answer: 'Richard III'.

22. Question: "All that glitters is not gold", is a line from which play by Shakespeare?

Answer: 'The Merchant Of Venice'.

23. Question: "Nothing will come of nothing", was said in which of Shakespeare's plays?

Answer: 'King Lear'.

24. Question: "The course of true love never did run smooth", was said by which of Shakespeare's characters?

Answer: Lysander, 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

Shakespearean Adaptations

In 2016, Shakespeare's name was added to the Guinness World Records, as the author with the most TV and movie adaptations of his works! From 'She's The Man' to '10 Things I Hate About You', his plays have inspired countless retellings. Now, it's time for you to prove your cinephile and bookworm prowess with this final quiz. Can you recall all the Shakespeare adaptations?

25. Question: According to Guinness World Records in 2016, how many writing credits did William Shakespeare have in film and television productions?

Answer: 1,121.

26. Question: Which was the first Shakespeare play to be adapted into a movie?

Answer: 'King John'.

27. Question: Which famous actor played the role of Romeo in the 1996 movie 'Romeo + Juliet', an adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Romeo And Juliet'?

Answer: Leonardo DiCaprio.

28. Question: The movie, 'The Lion King' (1994), is an adaptation of which play by Shakespeare?

Answer: 'Hamlet'.

29. Question: Which play by Shakespeare is the movie, '10 Things I Hate About You' (1999), an adaptation of?

Answer: 'The Taming Of The Shrew'.

30. Question: Which of Shakespeare's comedies is the movie, 'She's The Man' (2006), an adaptation of?

Answer: 'Twelfth Night'.

31. Question: Which of Shakespeare's plays is the movie, 'David And Fatima' (2008), an adaptation of?

Answer: 'Romeo And Juliet'.

32. Question: The novel, 'Fool', written by Christopher Moore, is inspired by which of Shakespeare's works?

Answer: 'King Lear'.

33. Question: The novel, 'Hag-Seed', written by Margaret Atwood, is an adaptation of which play by Shakespeare?

Answer: 'The Tempest'.

There you have it, literary buffs - an epic journey through the mesmerizing world of Shakespeare, filled with surprising facts and insightful trivia! We hope you enjoyed this challenge as much as we loved crafting it for you. Perhaps you're a seasoned Shakespeare aficionado, or maybe you're just starting your adventure into the rich tapestry of his works. Either way, every bit of knowledge takes you one step closer to becoming an ultimate Shakespeare connoisseur. So, what are you waiting for? Go on and share this trivia quiz with your friends, challenge them, and see who's the reigning bard buff in your circle. Dive into more of Shakespeare's magical plays and, who knows, maybe next time you'll ace every single question.

Main image credit: Massimo Todaro / Shutterstock.com

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