- 1. The First Folio of William Shakespeare, officially titled 'Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies,' was published in 1623 and is one of the most significant publications in the history of English literature. Compiled seven years after Shakespeare's death by his friends and fellow actors, John Heminges and Henry Condell, the First Folio is crucial because it preserved 36 of Shakespeare's plays, many of which had never been printed before and would likely have been lost to history without this collection. The Folio includes iconic works such as 'Hamlet,' 'Romeo and Juliet,' 'Macbeth,' and 'The Tempest,' showcasing Shakespeare's range as a playwright from comedies and histories to tragedies. With more than half of the plays included being published for the first time, the First Folio has been essential for understanding not only Shakespeare's oeuvre but also the development of English drama during the early 17th century. The dedication to the Earl of Southampton and the meticulous typography, attributed to the printer Edward Blount, reflect the high standards of Elizabethan publishing and the enduring legacy of Shakespeare's work, which has influenced countless writers and playwrights throughout the centuries.
What is the First Folio?
A) A biography of Shakespeare
B) A collected edition of Shakespeare's plays
C) A collection of Shakespeare's poems
D) A play written by Shakespeare
- 2. In what year was the First Folio published?
A) 1623
B) 1616
C) 1609
D) 1620
- 3. Who were the editors of the First Folio?
A) John Heminges and Henry Condell
B) Edward Alleyn and Richard Burbage
C) Ben Jonson and Christopher Marlowe
D) Thomas Kyd and John Fletcher
- 4. How many plays are included in the First Folio?
A) 30
B) 38
C) 36
D) 40
- 5. Which of these plays is NOT included in the First Folio?
A) Othello
B) Pericles, Prince of Tyre
C) King Lear
D) Hamlet
- 6. Where was the First Folio published?
A) Stratford-upon-Avon
B) Oxford
C) London
D) Cambridge
- 7. Which play begins with the famous line 'All the world's a stage'?
A) Macbeth
B) Romeo and Juliet
C) Hamlet
D) As You Like It
- 8. What type of binding is the First Folio typically known for?
A) Leather
B) Cloth
C) Plastic
D) Parchment
- 9. Which play is known for its famous curse and is included in the First Folio?
A) The Tempest
B) Julius Caesar
C) As You Like It
D) Macbeth
- 10. Which play in the First Folio is a classic example of a tragicomedy?
A) The Winter's Tale
B) Hamlet
C) Julius Caesar
D) Henry V
- 11. How many histories are included in the First Folio?
A) 10
B) 12
C) 8
D) 6
- 12. What language is the First Folio originally written in?
A) Early Modern English
B) Latin
C) Middle English
D) Old English
- 13. What is one of the most celebrated tragedies in the First Folio?
A) Much Ado About Nothing
B) Hamlet
C) The Comedy of Errors
D) The Taming of the Shrew
- 14. The First Folio was printed by which publisher?
A) Penguin Random House
B) Simon & Schuster
C) Harper Collins
D) Edward Blount and William Jackin
- 15. What literary style is often associated with Shakespeare's works in the First Folio?
A) Free verse
B) Haiku
C) Blank verse
D) Couplets
- 16. The First Folio was published how many years after Shakespeare's death?
A) Three years
B) Seven years
C) Ten years
D) Five years
- 17. Which of Shakespeare's contemporaries wrote a commendatory poem for the First Folio?
A) John Donne
B) George Chapman
C) Ben Jonson
D) Christopher Marlowe
- 18. What type of text is the First Folio considered to be?
A) A scholarly article
B) A primary source
C) A secondary source
D) A fictional source
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