FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!

General Wilde Trivia Quiz

Not too difficult if you have read a biography or two...

A multiple-choice quiz by dringo. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
dringo

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
237,337

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
505

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What was the address of Oscar Wilde's childhood home? Hint

Tite Street

Arlington Square

O'Connell Street

Merrion Square

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Which College of Oxford University did Wilde attend? Hint

Pembroke College

Christ Church

Magdalen College

Nuffield College

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. What was the name of the collection of poetry published in 1881 by Oscar Wilde? Hint

Poetry

Verse

Sonnets

Poems

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. How many novels did Wilde write in his lifetime? Hint

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Who attempted to hold a demonstration on the opening night of 'The Importance of Being Earnest', but was thwarted when police were tipped-off, and was refused entry? Hint

The Marquis of Queensbury

His wife, Constance Lloyd

Lord Alfred Douglas

Robbie Ross

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. In what year did 'The Importance of Being Earnest' open? Hint

1897

1894

1895

1896

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. What mistake did Wilde make which led to charges being brought against him and his subsequent conviction? Hint

He propositioned a police officer

He was caught in bed with a rent boy by his wife

He publically announced his homosexuality

He sued the Marquis of Queensbury for libel

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. What kind of work is Oscar Wilde's 'De Profundis'? Hint

a poem

a children's story

a play

a letter

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Oscar Wilde's eldest son was killed in WWI. What was his name at that time? Hint

Cyril Wilde

Vyvyan Holland

Vyvyan Wilde

Cyril Holland

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. To whom did Wilde famously remark: "I have nothing to declare but my genius"? Hint

The Judge in court

British customs officials

American customs officials

French customs officials

(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

Select a User ID:

Choose a Password:

Your Email:

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What was the address of Oscar Wilde's childhood home?

Answer: Merrion Square

Merrion Square is in Dublin, and the house still stands today. Wilde's mother, 'Speranza' was a poet, while his father, Sir William Wilde was Ireland's leading ear and eye surgeon.

2. Which College of Oxford University did Wilde attend?

Answer: Magdalen College

Previous to this, Wilde studied at Trinity College, Dublin.

3. What was the name of the collection of poetry published in 1881 by Oscar Wilde?

Answer: Poems

'Poems' was Wilde's first published work, and was a solid foundation on which to build his writing career.

4. How many novels did Wilde write in his lifetime?

Answer: 1

His only novel, 'A Picture of Dorian Gray' caused immense controversy upon its release in Victorian Britain due to its homo-erotic undertones. The novel was a hit, however, with the underground homosexual culture which existed in London at the time.

5. Who attempted to hold a demonstration on the opening night of 'The Importance of Being Earnest', but was thwarted when police were tipped-off, and was refused entry?

Answer: The Marquis of Queensbury

Father of Wilde's lover, Alfred Douglas, Queensbury bought a ticket to the opening night, intent on throwing rotten vegetables at the stage. Two weeks later, he left his card for Wilde at the Albemarle Club, with the note: "For Oscar Wilde, posing as a somdomite[sic]."

6. In what year did 'The Importance of Being Earnest' open?

Answer: 1895

This was the last opening night Wilde was ever to attend, as three months later he was sent to prison for "gross indecency", when details of his homosexual relationships came to light.

7. What mistake did Wilde make which led to charges being brought against him and his subsequent conviction?

Answer: He sued the Marquis of Queensbury for libel

In proving he was innocent of libel in court, Queensbury brought to light details of Wilde's personal life which led to Wilde's arrest. Wilde later accused Lord Alfred Douglas of convincing him to sue in the first place.

8. What kind of work is Oscar Wilde's 'De Profundis'?

Answer: a letter

'De Profundis' is the letter Wilde wrote from prison to Lord Alfred Douglas. In it he criticises Douglas' behaviour and apparent betrayal. It was published after Oscar Wilde's death.

9. Oscar Wilde's eldest son was killed in WWI. What was his name at that time?

Answer: Cyril Holland

Cyril Holland died aged 29 during the First World War in France. He was killed by a German sniper. Wilde's wife, Constance Lloyd changed her, and their sons' names from Wilde to Holland after the scandal broke in 1895.

10. To whom did Wilde famously remark: "I have nothing to declare but my genius"?

Answer: American customs officials

This was at the start of his 1882 lecture tour on aesthetics. On his return, he married Constance Lloyd and went on to have a highly successful career, which was unfortunately marred by controversy and scandal.

Source: Author dringo

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Exit10 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.