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Shakespearean Tragedy and Comedy

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 10mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Why is there so much violence in Shakespeare's tragedies?.

a)

He had a horrible childhood and was channeling his anger.

b)

His son had died, and he wanted everyone to feel pain.

c)

Audiences were used to cruel and dangerous sports and events.

d)

The people would jump on the stage and attack the actors if there was no blood in the play.

2.

How many times was the Globe Theater rebuilt?

a)

2

b)

4

c)

6

d)

3

3.

What made the theater a dangerous play to be?

a)

Guns

b)

Cutpurses

c)

Lack of police

d)

Curses

4.

When were plays performed?

a)

Sunrise

b)

Sunset

c)

Mid-day

d)

Twilight

5.

The audiences in Shakespeare's time could best be described as __________________________

a)

rich

b)

powerful

c)

commoners

d)

criminals

6.

Why was the church against theaters?

a)

People were drinking.

b)

There were witches in the plays.

c)

They thought they caused the plague

d)

Women weren't allowed.

7.

The name for a "roast" in Shakespeare's time was ____________________

a)

a bake

b)

a burn

c)

a cut down

d)

an insult

8.

About how many actors were in an acting company?

a)

12

b)

6

c)

8

d)

20

9.

What is a character defect that causes the downfall of a protagonist in a tragedy?

a)

greed

b)

desire for power

c)

bitterness

d)

tragic flaw

10.

What is the Greek term for pride?

a)

hubris

b)

heinous

c)

hideous

d)

handiness

11.

People watch sad movies, plays, and listen to sad music so they can feel a relief of emotional tensions. This is called__________________

a)

relaxation

b)

catherization

c)

catharsis

d)

metacarpal

12.

Things happen in 3's in MacBeth. What are 2 examples?

a)

curses and fates

b)

witches and murders

c)

fates and murders

d)

witches and fates

13.

Who convinces MacBeth to kill the king?

a)

Banquo

b)

MacDuff

c)

Lady MacBeth

d)

Fleance

14.

What is the climax of MacBeth?

a)

MacBeth finally kills the king.

b)

MacBeth kills MacDuff.

c)

MacDuff kills MacBeth.

d)

Lady MacBeth jumps to her death.

15.

What caused the play to be "cursed."

a)

the church

b)

the witches

c)

King James

d)

too many bloody deeds

16.

What is one theme of MacBeth?

a)

Be careful what you wish for.

b)

Don't listen to bad advice.

c)

Curses are always true.

d)

All women are evil.

17.

Who is the "shrew" in The Taming of the Shrew?

a)

Kate

b)

Bianca

c)

Petruchio

d)

Baptista

18.

How does Petruchio tame the "shrew"?

a)

He makes her eat everything on her plate.

b)

He makes her sleep in the barn.

c)

He makes her walk to her sister's wedding.

d)

He kills her with kindness.

19.

Why does Kate need to marry?

a)

So she can be wealthy

b)

So her sister can marry

c)

So her father can get rid of her

d)

So she can run for mayor of the town

20.

What is one theme of "The Taming of the Shrew"?

a)

Be careful what you wish for.

b)

Obey your husband, no matter what.

c)

To find love, you may need to let down your guard.

d)

If you don't want to get married, be a shrew.