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