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