William Shakespeare Quiz

As this week has been the anniversary of William Shakespeare's marriage I thought I'd test your knowledge of the Bard. Have fun with this quiz and good luck!

Q1) On which date is William Shakespeare's birthday traditionally celebrated?

22nd April

23rd April

24th April

25th April

Correct! Although his actual birthdate is unknown. We do know, however, that he was baptised on 26th April 1564.

Wrong! It's 23rd April, although his actual birthdate is unknown. We do know, however, that he was baptised on 26th April 1564.

Q2) In which English town was William Shakespeare born?

Stratford-upon-Avon

York

Warwick

Kenilworth

Correct! He was born in a house on Henley Street.

Wrong! He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, in a house on Henley Street.

Q3) What was William Shakespeare's father's occupation?

Blacksmith

Butcher

Farmer

Glover

Correct! John Shakespeare was a glover and whittawer ( a dresser of light-coloured leather).

Wrong! John Shakespeare was a glover, and also a whittawer ( a dresser of light-coloured leather).

Q4) Who did William Shakespeare marry on 27th November 1582?

Mary Arden

Anne Whateley

Anne Hathaway

Susanna Hall

Correct!

Wrong! It was Anne (also referred to as Agnes) Hathaway.

Q5) How many children did William and Anne have together?

Three

Four

Two

One

Correct! Susanna and twins Hamnet and Judith.

Wrong! They had three: Susanna and twins Hamnet and Judith.

Q6) According to legend, for which crime was William Shakespeare hauled before a Warwickshire magistrate?

Rape

Poaching

Drunkenness

Beating a man

Correct! It was for poaching deer at Charlecote Park. However, it does appear to be just a local legend.

Wrong! It was for poaching deer at Charlecote Park. However, it does appear to be just a local legend.

Q7) Which of Shakespeare's play is thought to be the first to be performed?

Richard III

Henry VI Part II

Comedy of Errors

Henry VI Part I

Correct! It was first performed in 1590-1.

Wrong! It was Henry VI Part II. It was first performed in 1590-1.

Q8) How many plays were in the "First Folio", the first comprehensive collection of Shakespeare's plays which was published in 1623?

Correct!

Wrong! It was 36.

Q9) How many sonnets is William Shakespeare believed to have written?

154

157

162

170

Correct!

Wrong! It's 154.

Q10) Many everyday phrases come from Shakespeare's works, but from which play do "Vanish into thin air" and "Wear your heart on your sleeve" come from?

King Lear

Macbeth

Othello

Romeo and Juliet

Correct!

Wrong! They are from "Othello".

Q11) How old was William Shakespeare when he died?

Correct! He died on 23rd April 1616, the day thought to be his birthday.

Wrong! He was fifty-two. He died on 23rd April 1616, the day thought to be his birthday.

Q12) Shakespeare's epitaph, which is said to have been written by him, reads: "Good friend for Jesus sake forbeare, To dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed be the man that spares these stones, And cursed be he that moves my bones." But where is he buried?

Warwick

Greenwich, London

Gloucester

Stratford-upon-Avon

Correct! He is buried in the same church he was baptised in: Holy Trinity Church.

Wrong! He is buried in the same church he was baptised in: Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon