Introduction to Shakespearean Language

Multiple Choice

What is the greatest obstacle between Shakespeare's plays and students?

• The length of the plays

• Unfamiliar language

• The historical context

• The complex characters

Multiple Choice

Who was the ruler during the time Shakespeare's language was named after?

• Queen Elizabeth I

• Queen Victoria

• King Henry VIII

• King James I

Multiple Choice

What is the pattern of rhythm in iambic pentameter?

• Four stressed syllabes followed by an unstressed syllable

• Five unstressed syllables each followed by a stressed syllable

• Three unstressed syllables followed by two unstressed syllables

• Two unstressed syllables followed by three stressed syllables

Multiple Choice

What is blank verse?

• Rhymed lines of iambic pentameter?

• Unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter

• Rhymed lines of haiku

• Unrhymed lines of limerick

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of Shakespeare's use of contractions in his writing?

• To maintain iambic pentameter

• To confuse the reader

• To modernize the language

• To shorten the play

Multiple Select

What does the contraction of "e'en", "ne'er", and "wi" stand for in Shakespeare's writing?

• With

• Even

• Never

• Tis

Multiple Choice

What does "thee" mean in modern English?

• They

• You

• We

• He

Multiple Choice

What is the possessive adjective form of "thou"?

• Your

• Thy

• Their

• His

Multiple Choice

What does "thee" function as in a sentence?

• Subject

• Object

• Possessive noun

• Plural subject

Multiple Choice

What is the function of "thine" in a sentence?

• Subject

• Object

• Possessive adjective

• Possessive noun

Multiple Choice

What does the word "anon" mean?

• Never

• Later

• Soon

• Yesterday

Multiple Choice

What is the translation of the phrase "Though you respect not aught, your servant doth?"

• 
  

  Though you respect everything, your servant does.

• 
  Though you respect nothing, your servant does.

• 
  Though you respect something, your servant does.

• 
  Though you respect anything, your servant does.

Multiple Choice

What does the word "base" mean as used in the context of the provided text?

• Honorable, high, worthy

• Dishonorable, low, unworthy

• Wealthy, prosperous, rich

• Intellgient, wise, clever

Multiple Choice

What does the word "meet" mean in the context of the phrase "It is most meet we arm us 'gainst the foe"?

• Unnecessary

• Suitable

• Dangerous

• Unlikely

Multiple Choice

What does the word "marry" mean in the context of the phrase, "Marry, sir, I am helping you?"

• Certainly

• Maybe

• Never

• Always

Multiple Choice

What does the word "prithee" mean?

• Thank you

• Please, I ask you

• Goodbye

• Excuse me

Multiple Choice

What is the translation of the phrase: "I have not from your eyes that gentleness / And show of love as I was wont to have"?

• 
  I don't see that gentleness and love in your eyes that I am accustomed to.

• 
  I see more gentleness and love in your eyes than before.

• I am surprised by the gentleness and love in your eyes.

• I am confused by the lack of gentleness and love in your eyes.