It's quiz time 1... Brush up your Shakespeare

The Shakespeare Room at the Birmingham Library

Hello Everyone,

At the beginning of my poetry blogs last month I mentioned William Shakespeare and his sonnets, also the Shakespeare room in the new Birmingham Library. Born on 26th April 1564; died 23rd April 1616, age 52 (just!). As it is April, what better time for a Shakespeare quiz?  Last year was the 400th anniversary of his death. He is known as the 'Bard of Avon' and lived at Stratford-upon-Avon. He married Anne Hathaway to whom he bequeathed his 'second best bed'! The bulk of his estate was left to his eldest daughter, Susanna but he stipulated that she was to leave it to her first born son. Sadly, she and her husband John Hall had only one child, a daughter. Consequently, the Shakespeare line died out. He did, however, leave a legacy of 38 play as well as his famous 154  sonnets. His work is taught in schools worldwide but how many of his plays are YOU familiar with? This week, I am giving you 12 questions; each one has two characters from a specific play.

 Can you name the play?

 Answers next week.

I will start with a really, really, really easy one:

1. Romeo and Juliet? ROMEO AND JULIET

2.Desdemona and Iago?OTHELLO

3.Miranda and Prospero? THE TEMPEST

4.Don Pedro and Don John?MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

5.Duke of Gloster and Duke of Bedford? HENRY V

6.Marcus Brutus and Cassius?  JULIUS CAESAR

7.Claudius and Hamlet? HAMLET

8.The Ghost of Banquo and Duncan, King of Scotland?MACBETH

9.Goneril and Regan? KING LEAR

10.Bottom and Puck? A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

11.Frederick and Rosalind?AS YOU LIKE IT

 12.Portia and Shylock?THE MERCHANT OF VENICE


 I will leave you with a well-known Skakespearean quote. . . Thought for the week: "We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep."

Love you all, Lady M xxxx