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Who Really Wrote Shakespeare? Trivia Quiz

This quiz takes a look at some of the people and arguments concerning whether William Shakespeare actually wrote the works that have been attributed to him. The quiz should be difficult, but interesting.

A multiple-choice quiz by robert362. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
robert362

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
172,975

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
671

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The mysterious death of this writer (at approximately the time that Shakespeare was coming into prominence) has led some people to suspect that this man's death was faked. Who was he? Hint

Earl of Oxford

Ben Jonson

Christopher Marlowe

Francis Bacon

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Which of the following had a son named "Hamnet"? Hint

Lord Derby

William Shakespeare

Earl of Essex

Walter Raleigh

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Question 3 of 10

3. Many people who believe that this man was the true author of Shakespeare's works refer to the presence of "ciphers" in the work for support. Hint

Ben Jonson

Christopher Marlowe

Earl of Oxford

Francis Bacon

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Which of these prominent Americans doubted that Shakespeare was the true author of the works attributed to him? Hint

All of these

Mark Twain

Walt Whitman

Henry James

5. The protagonist in "Hamlet" has his mother re-marry quickly after his father's death. He encounters pirates at sea. He is betrothed to the daughter of a court advisor. Which of the following men experienced these events in his own life? Hint

Earl of Oxford

Ben Jonson

Christopher Marlowe

Francis Bacon

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Question 6 of 10

6. Why would a nobleman write Shakespeare's works and let another man take credit for being the author? Hint

Being a writer was not a well-respected activity

All of these

Being a writer was inappropriate for a member of the nobility

Certain "injudicious" comments in the plays could have been awkward (or worse) if attribued to a nobleman

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Question 7 of 10

7. One challenge to Shakespeare's authorship argues that he could not have had experience with the world of the nobility discussed in many of the plays. Who else also lacked experience as a nobleman? Hint

Essex

Christopher Marlowe

Oxford

Derby

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. One of Shakespeare's plays makes reference to a "great reckoning in a small room". What incident is probably being referenced? Hint

Marlowe's death in a brawl

The execution of Essex

Kyd's torture by the Inquisition

The exploration and colonization efforts of Raleigh

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which of these life experiences is suggestive of Oxford as the true author of Shakespeare's works? Hint

Military and battle experience

All of these

Training as a lawyer

Extensive travel

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of these items might lead one to doubt Shakespeare's authorship? Hint

His will failed to make reference to any books in his possession

All of these

There were no eulogies upon his death

His children were quite probably illiterate

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The mysterious death of this writer (at approximately the time that Shakespeare was coming into prominence) has led some people to suspect that this man's death was faked. Who was he?

Answer: Christopher Marlowe

Marlowe was almost certainly working as some type of political operative in the highly political Elizabethan world. The man who killed him (and the man's companions) were also probably involved in "spying" activities. His death came at a time when he was under investigation for charges of heresy -- a very serious charge in those days.

It has been suggested that he faked his death and resumed writing, using the name Shakespeare as an alias.

2. Which of the following had a son named "Hamnet"?

Answer: William Shakespeare

Unfortunately, Hamnet's life proved more difficult than that of the fictional Hamlet: Shakespeare's only son, one of a pair of twins, died at approximately 11 years of age.

3. Many people who believe that this man was the true author of Shakespeare's works refer to the presence of "ciphers" in the work for support.

Answer: Francis Bacon

A woman named Delia Bacon - no relation to Francis - is credited with being the first to "find" the ciphers. The efforts have been so tortured, however, that they hurt (rather than help) the arguments in support of Francis Bacon.

4. Which of these prominent Americans doubted that Shakespeare was the true author of the works attributed to him?

Answer: All of these

One can add to this list names such as Sigmund Freud, Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Greenleaf Whitier, and others.

Answer: Earl of Oxford

Oxford's life is similar to Hamlet's in terms of the death of a father and the quick re-marriage of a mother (to a "lesser"). Hamlet was engaged to Ophelia, daughter of Polonius (royal councillor). Oxford was engaged to the daughter of Lord Burghley (who is believed to be the "model" for Polonius). Burghley was a key minister and advisor to the royal court.

6. Why would a nobleman write Shakespeare's works and let another man take credit for being the author?

Answer: All of these

The comments are self-explanatory in this instance.

Answer: Christopher Marlowe

Essex and Oxford were Earls; Derby was a Lord. Marlowe, like Shakespeare, was the son of a working man.

8. One of Shakespeare's plays makes reference to a "great reckoning in a small room". What incident is probably being referenced?

Answer: Marlowe's death in a brawl

Marlowe's death was officially said to be in a dispute over a bill. (A "reckoning"). The "small room" may refer to the fact that the dispute occurred in a room in a private house (where people could go to lunch, etc.) (It has been suggested that it was a "safe house" for "agents" such as Marlowe and the others.) Is this reference in the play some form of hint or "inside joke"?

9. Which of these life experiences is suggestive of Oxford as the true author of Shakespeare's works?

Answer: All of these

Oxford, a courtier, traveled, experienced combat, was trained as a lawyer and was also familiar with the ways of the nobility. Shakespeare was not.

10. Which of these items might lead one to doubt Shakespeare's authorship?

Answer: All of these

All of these matters have been raised by the challengers to Shakespeare's authorship.

Source: Author robert362

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