- 1. In his insightful book '1599: A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare', historian James Shapiro takes readers on a captivating journey through a pivotal year in the life of one of the most iconic playwrights in history. Set against the rich tapestry of Elizabethan England, Shapiro meticulously chronicles not only the theatrical world that Shakespeare inhabited but also the socio-political landscape that influenced his work. Through a blend of biography, social history, and literary analysis, Shapiro delves into the significance of the year 1599, illustrating how events such as the construction of the Globe Theatre and the intertwining of Shakespeare's personal life with the larger currents of history coalesce to inform his plays. The narrative is peppered with vivid descriptions of the time's culture, the burgeoning theater scene, and the anxieties and aspirations of the English people who sought both entertainment and escapism during a time of uncertainty. By examining the interplay between Shakespeare's life and the historical events surrounding him, Shapiro not only illuminates the playwright's creative genius but also offers a compelling portrait of a society on the brink of transformation.
Which of these Shakespeare plays was written during 1599 according to Shapiro?
A) Henry V
B) Romeo and Juliet
C) The Tempest
D) Macbeth
- 2. Which Shakespeare play features the famous 'To be or not to be' soliloquy, written around 1599?
A) King Lear
B) Hamlet
C) Othello
D) Julius Caesar
- 3. Which monarch ruled England during 1599?
A) Henry VIII
B) Elizabeth I
C) Mary Queen of Scots
D) James I
- 4. What was Shakespeare's acting company called in 1599?
A) The Queen's Players
B) The Admiral's Men
C) The Lord Chamberlain's Men
D) The King's Men
- 5. Which classical figure's work influenced Shakespeare's 'Julius Caesar'?
A) Virgil
B) Plutarch
C) Homer
D) Aristotle
- 6. Which military figure was prominent in Ireland during 1599?
A) Sir Walter Raleigh
B) The Duke of Norfolk
C) Sir Francis Drake
D) The Earl of Essex
- 7. What was the name of Shakespeare's main rival playwright who died before 1599?
A) Thomas Middleton
B) John Webster
C) Christopher Marlowe
D) Ben Jonson
- 8. What type of play is 'As You Like It'?
A) Comedy
B) History
C) Romance
D) Tragedy
- 9. Which character says 'All the world's a stage'?
A) Prospero
B) Jaques
C) Falstaff
D) Hamlet
- 10. What was unusual about the publication of 'The Passionate Pilgrim'?
A) It contained poems not by Shakespeare
B) It was published after his death
C) It was Shakespeare's first publication
D) It contained only sonnets
- 11. Which historical figure is the subject of 'Henry V'?
A) King John
B) King Henry VIII
C) King Richard III
D) King Henry V of England
- 12. What was the name of the theater that provided timber for the Globe?
A) The Theatre
B) The Swan
C) The Rose
D) The Curtain
- 13. Which play features the Forest of Arden?
A) The Tempest
B) The Winter's Tale
C) A Midsummer Night's Dream
D) As You Like It
- 14. What was Shakespeare's primary residence in 1599?
A) Stratford-upon-Avon
B) Oxford
C) Cambridge
D) London
- 15. What was the name of Shakespeare's only son?
A) John
B) William
C) Hamnet
D) Richard
- 16. Which play contains the line 'The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars'?
A) Macbeth
B) Julius Caesar
C) Hamlet
D) King Lear
- 17. What significant change occurred in Shakespeare's writing around 1599 according to Shapiro?
A) He started collaborating more
B) He began writing in prose
C) He began writing tragedies
D) He stopped writing comedies
- 18. In which theater did Shakespeare's company perform in 1599?
A) Blackfriars
B) The Rose
C) The Globe
D) The Curtain
- 19. What major historical event threatened England in 1599?
A) War with France
B) The Great Fire of London
C) Spanish invasion threat
D) The Black Death
- 20. Which character in Henry V directly addresses the audience about the limitations of theater?
A) King Henry
B) Pistol
C) The Chorus
D) Fluellen
- 21. What was the primary building material used for the Globe Theatre?
A) Brick
B) Stone
C) Timber
D) Marble
- 22. What was Shakespeare's approximate age in 1599?
A) 30
B) 35
C) 45
D) 25
- 23. What was the name of the poet and rival whose death affected the literary scene in 1599?
A) Ben Jonson
B) John Donne
C) Christopher Marlowe
D) Edmund Spenser
- 24. What was the primary source Shakespeare used for Julius Caesar?
A) Suetonius' Twelve Caesars
B) Livy's History
C) Plutarch's Lives
D) Tacitus' Annals
- 25. Which character in As You Like It disguises herself as a man?
A) Phoebe
B) Celia
C) Rosalind
D) Audrey
- 26. What was the relationship between Shakespeare and his company in 1599?
A) Employee only
B) Owner and manager
C) Shareholder and playwright
D) Guest writer
- 27. What was unique about the Globe Theatre's construction?
A) First brick theater
B) Built from recycled materials
C) First with electricity
D) Largest in Europe
- 28. What was Shakespeare's financial status in 1599?
A) Bankrupt
B) Struggling
C) Becoming wealthy
D) Dependent on patrons
- 29. How does Shapiro connect Henry V to contemporary events?
A) Promotes peace
B) Attacks monarchy
C) Reflects English nationalism
D) Criticizes war
- 30. What was the significance of the Chamberlain's Men becoming the King's Men?
A) Theater closure
B) Royal patronage
C) Financial collapse
D) Style change
- 31. How were Shakespeare's plays typically published in 1599?
A) Quarto editions
B) Manuscript copies
C) Folio collections
D) Newspaper serials
- 32. Which of these was a contemporary event that influenced Shakespeare's writing?
A) The Restoration
B) The Civil War
C) The Great Fire
D) Essex's rebellion
- 33. What was significant about Shakespeare becoming a shareholder in the Globe?
A) Made him the owner
B) Gave him financial independence
C) Forced him to move to London
D) Ended his acting career
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