Shakespeare's Life Quiz

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Questions and Answers

How much do we know about Shakespeare's life and why?

Everything we know about him is because of his works, and various legal and church documents. We only know things from certain periods of his life.

Where was Shakespeare born?

Stratford-upon-Avon

What date was he born on?

April 23, 1564

Did Shakespeare ever get married? If so, to whom?

Anne Hathaway Signup and view all the answers

Shakespeare established himself as an __ and _.

actor; playwright Signup and view all the answers

What day did he die? What is unusual about this date?

April 23, 1616; it was his birthday Signup and view all the answers

What did he leave his wife in his will?

'My second best bed.' Signup and view all the answers

What were the two major religions in Elizabethan England?

Catholic and Protestant Signup and view all the answers

Who dictated the favoured religion?

Reigning monarchs Signup and view all the answers

Which Monarchs reigned during this time? When?

Queen Elizabeth I Signup and view all the answers

Which religion did each Monarch believe in?

Queen Mary believed in the Catholic religion, but Queen Elizabeth I believed in the Protestant religion Signup and view all the answers

How did each Monarch treat those who did not follow their favoured religion?

Queen Mary would persecute Protestants by burying them alive. Queen Elizabeth I didn't mind as long as they didn't threaten peace in the realm and her rule over England. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Queen Elizabeth I ban all performances of religious plays and stories?

To stop violence over religion Signup and view all the answers

What was the Elizabethan Period?

The age of the Renaissance, of new ideas and new thinking. Signup and view all the answers

When was this period?

1558 - 1603 Signup and view all the answers

What was the most significant invention of this time and why?

The printing press; it increased knowledge and learning, it was responsible for the interest in the different sciences and inventions. Signup and view all the answers

What did this lead to a renewed interest in?

The supernatural Signup and view all the answers

During the Elizabethan Period, what were unexplained events blamed on?

Witches; mostly women Signup and view all the answers

Why were people of this period superstitious?

Fear of the supernatural and forces of nature or God in the belief of superstitions during the Elizabethan period. Signup and view all the answers

What were the four humours and what were they associated with?

The four bodily humours were part of Shakespearean cosmology, inherited from the ancient Greek philosophers. Melancholic: Black Bile; Phlegmatic: Phlegm; Choleric: Yellow Bile; Sanguine: Blood. Signup and view all the answers

How was Elizabethan class structure maintained?

It discouraged education for females and focused mainly on learning how to be a housewife. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Chain of Being and what did it uphold?

Concept: 'everything in the world has its own place'; The Great Chain of Being dictated everyone's social station and standing. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Rotae Fortuna?

It predicts one's future (bad or good). Signup and view all the answers

What did Education depend on?

It depended on the financial standing and social class of the family. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of schooling?

To teach children appropriate behavior for their social class and to make them useful members of society. Signup and view all the answers

Why were students taught Latin?

Because it was the language of the educated throughout Europe. Signup and view all the answers

What were girls from wealthy families educated in?

They would learn to read, write, keep accounts, manage a household and estate, make salves and practice surgery. Signup and view all the answers

Why were courses in university conducted in Latin?

It was the language of international affairs, and men of affairs were able to communicate in this language. Signup and view all the answers

What was the general feeling towards plays during this period in time?

Theater had an unsavory reputation. Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the first theater?

Theater Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the most famous theater?

The Globe Signup and view all the answers

What happened to this theater?

A cannon fired during a performance caught the roof on fire and the building burnt to the ground. Signup and view all the answers

Where did people sit or not sit?

Most people stood in the open pit before the stage, rich nobles could sit in a chair on the side of the stage. Signup and view all the answers

When did they have performances? Why?

In the afternoon, because there was no artificial lighting. Signup and view all the answers

How many women performed in these plays?

No women Signup and view all the answers

What did the audience do if they didn't like the performance?

They would throw any kind of food they could get their hands on at the actors. Signup and view all the answers

What does Shakespeare's work provide reference for?

Since people of all classes attended plays, playwrights needed to use stories, characters and words that would appeal to everybody. Signup and view all the answers

What were Shakespeare's histories a tribute to?

A tribute to the British Monarchy and to Britain. Signup and view all the answers

What was Shakespeare attempting to do with these tributes?

He was attempting to legitimize Elizabeth's position on the throne, but also his position as a 'favored' playwright. Signup and view all the answers

How many words did Shakespeare invent?

Over 1,700 words Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of a word or phrase we have gotten from Shakespeare.

'Dead as a door-nail' Signup and view all the answers

Name one poet who was influenced by Shakespeare.

John Keats Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Shakespeare's Life and Works

Knowledge of Shakespeare's life primarily derives from his literary works and various legal and church documents.
Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon.
His birthdate is recorded as April 23, 1564.
Married Anne Hathaway.

Career and Death

Established himself as an actor and playwright.
Died on April 23, 1616, coinciding with his birthday.
Left his wife "my second best bed" in his will.

Religion in Elizabethan England

Dominant religions were Catholicism and Protestantism.
Favored religion dictated by reigning monarchs.
Queen Mary (1553-1558) was Catholic; Elizabeth I was Protestant.
Mary persecuted Protestants, while Elizabeth tolerated them unless they threatened her reign.

Elizabethan Cultural Context

Queen Elizabeth I banned religious performances to prevent violence.
The Elizabethan Period (1558 - 1603) marked the Renaissance with new ideas and thinking.
The printing press was a crucial invention, spurring knowledge and interest in sciences.

Superstitions and Beliefs

Renewed interest in the supernatural emerged during this era, leading to witch hunts predominantly targeting women.
Fear of the supernatural fostered high superstition levels among people.

Theories of Medicine

The four humours were central to Shakespearean cosmology, influencing behavior.
- Melancholic: Black bile, associated with old age.
- Phlegmatic: Phlegm, linked to maturity.
- Choleric: Yellow bile, connected with childhood.
- Sanguine: Blood, associated with adolescence.

Education and Class Structure

Education varied based on a family's financial standing and social class.
Main purpose of schooling was to instill appropriate behavior for social usefulness.
Latin was taught as it was the language of the educated and international affairs.

Roles and Opportunities in Education

Wealthy girls learned household management and reading, while boys focused on broader educational subjects.
University courses were conducted in Latin to facilitate communication amongst educated men.

Theater in Elizabethan Society

Theater had a negative reputation and the first theater was simply named "theater."
The Globe was the most famous theater, destroyed by fire during a performance.
Performances were held in the afternoon due to lack of artificial lighting.
Women were not permitted to act, and audience members could express dissatisfaction by throwing food.

Influence of Shakespeare's Work

Shakespeare’s plays appealed to all classes using mythology and folklore that included Christian elements.
His histories paid tribute to the British monarchy.
He aimed to legitimize both Elizabeth I’s reign and his own status as a favored playwright.
Invented over 1,700 words; notable phrase includes "dead as a door-nail."
Influenced poets such as John Keats.

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Description

Test your knowledge about the life of William Shakespeare. From his birthplace to significant dates and family details, this quiz covers essential aspects of the playwright's personal history. See how well you know the man behind the works.