Scenes from Shakespeare Trivia Quiz

"Hamlet" - Act 5, Scene 1: Hamlet enters a graveyard with Horatio and watches two gravediggers at work. He speaks with one of them and picks up a skull, which he learns belonged to Yorick, the court jester he knew as a child. Hamlet remembers Yorick carrying him on his back and making him laugh. Soon after, a funeral procession arrives, and Hamlet realizes the grave is for Ophelia.

This is the scene where Hamlet holds a skull, which is sometimes confused with Act 3, Scene 1, where he gives the "To be, or not to be" soliloquy.

"Macbeth" - Act 2, Scene 1: Macbeth prepares to kill King Duncan and sees a vision of a floating dagger leading him toward Duncan's chamber. He wonders if it is real or just a creation of his mind. As he follows it, the dagger seems to become covered in blood. Macbeth takes this as a sign and decides to go through with the murder.

"A Midsummer Night's Dream"- Act 3, Scene 1: A group of craftsmen meet in the forest to rehearse a play for the Duke's wedding. During the rehearsal, the mischievous fairy Puck magically gives one of the actors, Bottom, the head of a donkey. When the others see him, they run away in fear. Bottom doesn't realize what has happened and is confused by their reaction.

"Romeo and Juliet" - Act 2, Scene 2: Known as the balcony scene, Romeo secretly visits Juliet's garden after the Capulet party. He overhears Juliet speaking about her love for him, unaware that he is nearby. When he reveals himself, the two confess their feelings for each other and talk about the danger their families' feud creates. Despite the risks, they agree to marry in secret.

"Twelfth Night" - Act 2, Scene 5: Malvolio finds a fake letter that Maria has written to trick him, pretending it is from Olivia. While hiding nearby, Sir Toby, Fabian, and Sir Andrew secretly watch as Malvolio reads the letter out loud. The letter hints that Olivia loves someone like Malvolio and encourages him to act strangely, including wearing yellow stockings, smiling constantly, and being rude to others. Malvolio, believing the letter is real, becomes excited and decides to follow its instructions.

"Richard III" - Act 5, Scene 4: The Battle of Bosworth Field is underway, and Richard fights desperately to hold on to his crown, calling out for a horse after losing his in the chaos of battle. He famously cries, "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!" Meanwhile, Richmond is on horseback, leading his troops with calm determination.

As the battle turns against Richard, Richmond's forces begin to overpower his.

"Much Ado About Nothing" - Act 4, Scene 1: The characters gather for the wedding of Hero and Claudio. Just as the ceremony is about to begin, Claudio suddenly accuses Hero of being unfaithful and refuses to marry her. He shames her in front of everyone, and Don Pedro supports his claims.

Hero faints from the shock, and her family is devastated. Friar Francis then suggests pretending that Hero has died, hoping the truth will come out and restore her reputation.

"Othello" - Act 5, Scene 2: Othello enters the bedchamber where Desdemona is sleeping. Believing she has been unfaithful to him with Cassio, he confronts her and ignores her pleas of innocence. Despite her protests, Othello smothers Desdemona (with a pillow often used in stage productions).

After she dies, the truth is revealed; Desdemona was never unfaithful, and Iago had lied to manipulate Othello. Horrified by what he has done, Othello eventually takes his own life.

"The Winter's Tale" - Act 3, Scene 3: Antigonus brings the baby Perdita to the coast of Bohemia, following King Leontes' order to abandon her. After placing the child with some items to help her future, Antigonus is suddenly chased offstage by a bear, which is famously described in the stage direction "Exit, pursued by a bear." A shepherd then finds the baby and decides to raise her as his own.

"Titus Andronicus" - Act 5, Scene 3: Titus invites Emperor Saturninus, Tamora, and others to a banquet. During the meal, he reveals that the pie he served contains the bodies of Tamora's sons, Demetrius and Chiron, whom he killed as revenge for their crimes against his daughter, Lavinia.

After revealing this, Titus kills Lavinia, saying her shame is too great to bear, and then stabs Tamora. Saturninus reacts by killing Titus, and Lucius, Titus's son, kills Saturninus in return.

"The Tempest" - Act 1, Scene 1: A ship carrying Alonso, the King of Naples, along with Ferdinand, Antonio, and other nobles, is caught in a violent storm at sea. The sailors struggle to keep the ship from sinking as the passengers panic. The storm, which seems natural, was actually created by Prospero using his magical powers.

By the end of the scene, the ship appears to break apart, and everyone jumps overboard.

"Antony and Cleopatra" - Act 5, Scene 2: Cleopatra is held captive by Octavius Caesar after Antony's death. Refusing to be paraded through Rome as a prisoner, she decides to take her own life. She dresses in her royal clothes and says goodbye to her servants. Cleopatra then uses a hidden asp to bite her.

She dies calmly, believing she will be reunited with Antony. Her two maids, Charmian and Iras, also die beside her. When Caesar arrives, he is too late and orders that she be buried next to Antony.