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Quiz about Antony and Cleopatra
Quiz about Antony and Cleopatra

Antony and Cleopatra Trivia Quiz


A quiz on Shakespeare's great historical love story; one of his greatest tragedies and a play of tremendous historical scope. Enjoy!

A multiple-choice quiz by jouen58. Estimated time: 7 mins.
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Author
jouen58
Time
7 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
125,507
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
20
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
11 / 20
Plays
1357
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 157 (5/20), Guest 106 (5/20), Guest 59 (16/20).
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Question 1 of 20
1. "Antony and Cleopatra" might be regarded as a sequel to what other Shakespearean play? Hint


Question 2 of 20
2. What ancient source did Shakespeare primarily use for this play (as well as "Julius Caesar" and "Coriolanus")? Hint


Question 3 of 20
3. This play is unique among Shakespeare's works for its enormous scope of location. What locations are featured in the play? Hint


Question 4 of 20
4. Who rules the Roman empire when the play begins? Hint


Question 5 of 20
5. Shortly after the play begins, Antony learns that his wife Fulvia, whom he has neglected for Cleopatra, has died. What is his reaction? Hint


Question 6 of 20
6. Which character makes the famous quote "My salad days, when I was green in judgement, cold in blood to say as I said then."? Hint


Question 7 of 20
7. Act II, scene 2 contains the famous speech about Cleopatra which begins "The barge she sat in, like a burnish'd throne, burn'd on the water.", which contains the line "Age cannot wither, nor custom stale her infinite variety." Who makes this speech? Hint


Question 8 of 20
8. What is the name of Antony's sword (after a famous battle fought in "Julius Caesar")? Hint


Question 9 of 20
9. In Act II, scene 5, a messenger delivers to Cleopatra the unwelcome news that Antony has (for political reasons) married Octavia. What does Cleopatra threaten to do? Hint


Question 10 of 20
10. Where does the final scene of Act II take place? Hint


Question 11 of 20
11. In Act III, scene 3, Cleopatra gets the dirt on Octavia from the formerly much abused messenger. How does he describe Octavia? Hint


Question 12 of 20
12. After twice abandoning Antony in battle against Octavian, Cleopatra flees the wrath of her insanely angry lover. Where does she eventually flee to (appropriately, as it turns out)? Hint


Question 13 of 20
13. Believing that Cleopatra is dead, Antony asks his devoted friend Eros to run him through with his sword. What does Eros do? Hint


Question 14 of 20
14. As Antony lies wounded, Diomedes arrives with new tidings about Cleopatra. What does he tell Antony? Hint


Question 15 of 20
15. Determined to die now that Antony is dead and Octavian wishes to parade her in disgrace through the streets of Rome, Cleopatra receives a basket from a "clown" (a comic rustic) supposedly containing figs, but also concealing some poisonous asps. What word do they use to refer to the serpent? Hint


Question 16 of 20
16. As he is leaving, what does the "clown" warn Cleopatra not to do for the serpent? Hint


Question 17 of 20
17. Two characters in the play die onstage of no apparent physical cause. Who are they? Hint


Question 18 of 20
18. What character besides Cleopatra dies by the bite of an asp. Hint


Question 19 of 20
19. Upon discovering Cleopatra dead, what order does Octavian give regarding her burial? Hint


Question 20 of 20
20. In the seventeenth century, this play was briefly eclipsed in popularity by another play on the same subject, entitled "All for Love". Which great poet wrote this play? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Apr 17 2024 : Guest 157: 5/20
Apr 17 2024 : Guest 106: 5/20
Apr 17 2024 : Guest 59: 16/20
Apr 16 2024 : Guest 152: 8/20
Apr 16 2024 : Guest 152: 15/20
Apr 16 2024 : Guest 31: 15/20
Apr 15 2024 : Guest 183: 15/20
Apr 15 2024 : Guest 157: 9/20
Apr 15 2024 : Guest 152: 11/20

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. "Antony and Cleopatra" might be regarded as a sequel to what other Shakespearean play?

Answer: Julius Caesar

The play deals with events shortly following the defeat of Brutus and Cassius in "Julius Caesar".
2. What ancient source did Shakespeare primarily use for this play (as well as "Julius Caesar" and "Coriolanus")?

Answer: Plutarch

Plutarch's "Life of Antonius" was the principal source.
3. This play is unique among Shakespeare's works for its enormous scope of location. What locations are featured in the play?

Answer: Alexandria, Rome, Messina, Misenum, Syria, Actium, and Athens.

There are numerous battle scenes and scenes aboard ship.
4. Who rules the Roman empire when the play begins?

Answer: Octavian, Mark Antony, and Lepidus

After the death of Julius Caesar, Rome was ruled by the triumverate of Octavian (Caesar's son), Mark Antony, and Lepidus. By the end of the play, Lepidus has been put to death, Antony has comitted suicide, and Octavian alone is emperor.
5. Shortly after the play begins, Antony learns that his wife Fulvia, whom he has neglected for Cleopatra, has died. What is his reaction?

Answer: He is saddened (though not grief-stricken) and decides to leave Cleopatra.

Antony was clearly not in love with Fulvia, however upon hearing of her death, he remarks "There's a great spirit gone!" and regrets that he had wished her out of the way. He also decides "I must from this enchanting queen (Cleopatra, of course) break off." He is unable to resist Cleopatra for long, however.
6. Which character makes the famous quote "My salad days, when I was green in judgement, cold in blood to say as I said then."?

Answer: Cleopatra

She says this in response to Charmian's recollection of her youthful idolization of Caesar.
7. Act II, scene 2 contains the famous speech about Cleopatra which begins "The barge she sat in, like a burnish'd throne, burn'd on the water.", which contains the line "Age cannot wither, nor custom stale her infinite variety." Who makes this speech?

Answer: Enobarbus

Enobarbus, Antony's closest friend (until he betrays him later in the play) delivers this speech to Maecenas and Agrippa.
8. What is the name of Antony's sword (after a famous battle fought in "Julius Caesar")?

Answer: Phillipan

This was the sword with which he fought the battle of Phillipi against Brutus and Cassius. In Act II, scene 5, Cleopatra recalls their love-making: "E're the ninth hour I drunk him to his bed, then put my tires {attires} and mantles on him whilst I wore his sword Phillipan." Kinky!
9. In Act II, scene 5, a messenger delivers to Cleopatra the unwelcome news that Antony has (for political reasons) married Octavia. What does Cleopatra threaten to do?

Answer: Kill the messenger.

She repeatedly strikes the poor messenger, vowing "Thou shall be whipp'd with wire and stew'd in brine, smarting in ling'ring pickle." (one of my favorite lines in the play), then draws a knife against him, (whereupon he flees) but she is stopped by Charmian. She later apologizes.
10. Where does the final scene of Act II take place?

Answer: On board Pompey's galley, off Misenum.

This scene ends with all seemingly well between the triumvirs; it doesn't last long.
11. In Act III, scene 3, Cleopatra gets the dirt on Octavia from the formerly much abused messenger. How does he describe Octavia?

Answer: Thirty, widowed, with brown hair, an overly round face, and low forehead.

Cleopatra seems especially gratified to hear that Octavia is widowed and that she has a too-round face, because "For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so." She asks the messenger's pardon for her former abuse and gives him gold.
12. After twice abandoning Antony in battle against Octavian, Cleopatra flees the wrath of her insanely angry lover. Where does she eventually flee to (appropriately, as it turns out)?

Answer: Her monument (tomb).

She sends word from her eunuch, Mardian, that she has killed herself in remorse.
13. Believing that Cleopatra is dead, Antony asks his devoted friend Eros to run him through with his sword. What does Eros do?

Answer: Kills himself instead.

Eros asks Antony to turn away from him and, when his back is turned, falls on his sword, declaring "Thus I do escape the sorrow of Antony's death." Antony then tries to kill himself; he grievously wounds himself, but does not die immediately.
14. As Antony lies wounded, Diomedes arrives with new tidings about Cleopatra. What does he tell Antony?

Answer: That Cleopatra is alive.

Fearing, upon reflection, that Antony might react rashly to the news of her death, Cleopatra sends Diomedes to tell him the truth, alas, too late.
15. Determined to die now that Antony is dead and Octavian wishes to parade her in disgrace through the streets of Rome, Cleopatra receives a basket from a "clown" (a comic rustic) supposedly containing figs, but also concealing some poisonous asps. What word do they use to refer to the serpent?

Answer: worm

Cleopatra asks "Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there that kills and pains not?" The "clown", upon parting from her, says "I wish you joy o' the worm."
16. As he is leaving, what does the "clown" warn Cleopatra not to do for the serpent?

Answer: Feed it.

He cautions "Give it nothing, I pray you, for it is not worth the feeding", whereupon she sarcastically asks "Will it eat me?"
17. Two characters in the play die onstage of no apparent physical cause. Who are they?

Answer: Enobarbus and Iras

Enobarbus, consumed with guilt over his betrayal of Antony, dies in Act IV, scene 9, presumably of shame. In Act V, scene 2, Cleopatra kisses Charmian and Iras goodbye before killing herself; Iras suddenly falls and dies, presumably of grief. Plutarch states that Iras was found dead at Cleopatra's feet, probably having also been bitten by the asp; however, in the play, she dies before the asps are taken out of the basket, prompting Cleopatra to ask "Have I the aspic on my lips?"
18. What character besides Cleopatra dies by the bite of an asp.

Answer: Charmiane

Octavian's guard arrives just in time to find Cleopatra dead. As he watches in horror, Charmian applies an asp to her own arm. The guard asks "Charmian, is this well done?" to which Charmian replies "It is well done, and fitting for a princess descended of so many royal kings." (Ironically, in an earlier scene, the Soothsayer had prophesied that Charmian would outlive her mistress, to which Charmian had replied "I love long life more than figs!")
19. Upon discovering Cleopatra dead, what order does Octavian give regarding her burial?

Answer: That she and Antony be buried side by side.

In a show of pity for the dead lovers, the normally cold-blooded Octavian declares "She shall be buried by Antony. No grave upon the earth shall clip in it a pair so famous."
20. In the seventeenth century, this play was briefly eclipsed in popularity by another play on the same subject, entitled "All for Love". Which great poet wrote this play?

Answer: John Dryden

Dryden's play, poetically excellent in its own right, is rarely performed today as it does not hold the stage nearly as well as Shakespeare's play, which has lost none of its popularity.
Source: Author jouen58

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
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