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Literary Occupations Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Literary Occupations Quizzes, Trivia

Literary Occupations Trivia

Literary Occupations Trivia Quizzes

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Fun Trivia
The characters in these quizzes share an occupation (or avocation).
23 Literary Occupations quizzes and 230 Literary Occupations trivia questions.
1.
Literary Trades
  Literary Trades   great trivia quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Can you identify the careers, jobs or trades undertaken by each of these characters from famous works of literature? The picture clues might also give you a hint.
Average, 10 Qns, Fifiona81, Nov 02 14
Average
Fifiona81 editor
1403 plays
2.
The Butler Did It
  The Butler Did It!    
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Here is a quiz about some of the butlers/valets that are found in literature. Some you may remember, others may leave you scratching your head.
Average, 10 Qns, dcpddc478, Sep 07 24
Average
dcpddc478
Sep 07 24
653 plays
3.
  Knights' Tales   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The chivalrous knight, with or without his white charger, has been a stock character in literature for many years. How many of these literary knights can you recognise?
Easier, 10 Qns, rossian, Oct 22 21
Easier
rossian editor
Oct 22 21
1272 plays
4.
  Three Witches Are Not Enough    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
The "three witches" refer to Shakespeare's play "Macbeth", but there are also many other witches in literature. Can you tell me which witch is which?
Average, 10 Qns, JanIQ, Nov 05 16
Average
JanIQ gold member
403 plays
5.
  Europe's Top Literary Cops   popular trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Here are 10 fictional police officers who made their first appearances in novels. Match to them the locations in which they upheld law and order.
Easier, 10 Qns, darksplash, Jul 21 16
Easier
darksplash
558 plays
6.
  The Doctor Is Out...Of His Mind!   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Just a quiz on mad scientists and doctors with...ahem...serious personal issues, from various types of literature.
Easier, 10 Qns, dcpddc478, Dec 21 21
Easier
dcpddc478
Dec 21 21
884 plays
7.
  Smoke and Mirrors   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
James Bond encountered a vast range of villains who had quirks and used all sorts of means to disguise their activities. Note: These questions are not restricted to Ian Fleming's stories.
Average, 10 Qns, pollucci19, Jun 05 19
Average
pollucci19 gold member
Jun 05 19
396 plays
8.
  An Eloquence of Literary Lawyers   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
One collective noun for a group of lawyers is 'an eloquence'. This quiz contains ten questions on an eloquence of eloquent literary lawyers.
Average, 10 Qns, Fifiona81, Feb 26 22
Average
Fifiona81 editor
Feb 26 22
271 plays
9.
  Which Literary Witch    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Match the literary witch to the work or series in which they appear.
Average, 10 Qns, The_Cyclist, Oct 28 16
Average
The_Cyclist
400 plays
10.
  Trial and Terror    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Each of these works deals with lawyers or the accused, or both. How many can you identify?
Average, 10 Qns, mlcmlc, Jun 19 22
Average
mlcmlc gold member
Jun 19 22
2261 plays
11.
  I Pity the Fool    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Every royal or lordly court, real or fictional, needs a jester, also known as a fool. How many of those ten fictional court jesters do you remember? Enjoy!
Average, 10 Qns, DeepHistory, Mar 11 17
Average
DeepHistory gold member
746 plays
12.
  Doctors in Literature   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Some fictional doctors are selfless saviours, some are unscrupulous quacks, and some are just fairly ordinary human beings. Here are a few questions on physicians in literature.
Average, 10 Qns, TabbyTom, Feb 08 14
Average
TabbyTom
1010 plays
13.
  To Hunt, or to Fish--That Is the Question    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
You don't have to be an outdoorsman to be a success at this quiz. However, being an admirer of literature might help. Can you recognize these literary characters who are hunters or fishers in the stories and poems that brought them to life?
Tough, 10 Qns, alaspooryoric, Nov 28 15
Tough
alaspooryoric gold member
224 plays
14.
  The Ten Most Famous Literary Characters    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Obviously, this is highly subjective... but here's my list of the ten most most famous literary characters.
Average, 10 Qns, robert362, Dec 09 21
Average
robert362
Dec 09 21
5982 plays
15.
  Which Witch   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Witches, wizards and sorcerers have been appearing in popular literature since Shakespeare's time.
Average, 10 Qns, Christinap, Aug 06 15
Average
Christinap
447 plays
16.
  Spies and their Creators in English Literature.   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The spy or secret agent has been a strong force in English Literature since the late nineteenth century. Can you identify the character or author described?
Tough, 10 Qns, bracklaman, Feb 08 14
Tough
bracklaman
587 plays
17.
  Help Wanted    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz consists of job descriptions for characters in popular literature.
Average, 10 Qns, wingdingval, Jun 24 20
Average
wingdingval
Jun 24 20
2986 plays
18.
  The Colour of Magic    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Team "Swimming with Pilchards" are here to test you on some of the fictional characters whose incantations, concoctions, and metaphysical powers have cast a spell on many an avid bookworm over the years.
Difficult, 10 Qns, ajwtimperley, Feb 25 22
Difficult
ajwtimperley
Feb 25 22
272 plays
19.
  The Clergy in English Literature    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The clergy has figured largely in English literature over the centuries. Here are a few questions about fictional clerics.
Tough, 10 Qns, TabbyTom, Feb 08 14
Tough
TabbyTom
564 plays
20.
  Ready, Aim ... Fire!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Whether killing stealthily by leaving no trace or spewing hot lead in a rain of fire, assassins are known for being cold-blooded killers with little conscience. Join their ranks by identifying these guns for hire from literature and eliminating them.
Tough, 10 Qns, purelyqing, Feb 25 22
Tough
purelyqing gold member
Feb 25 22
296 plays
21.
  Lawyers in Anglo-American Literature    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A few questions on fictional lawyers through the ages.
Tough, 10 Qns, TabbyTom, Nov 06 15
Tough
TabbyTom
346 plays
22.
  What the Butler Saw    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
"What the Butler Saw" is a brief study of literary butlers.
Average, 10 Qns, gme24, Sep 10 13
Average
gme24 gold member
286 plays
23.
  Helping Hands    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Literary characters may put their pants on one leg at a time, but they often need the help of a valet, housekeeper, or squire. Can you name the servants from classic novels?
Average, 10 Qns, chicagojanet, Oct 29 13
Average
chicagojanet
223 plays

Literary Occupations Trivia Questions

1. This butler, Terry Pratchett's creation in the Discworld series, serves Lady Cybil and Sam Vimes. What is his name?

From Quiz
What the Butler Saw

Answer: Willikins

Willikins, apart from being a good butler, is also very handy in close hand-to-hand combat as demonstrated in "Jingo", very skilful with an ice knife as shown in "Thud" and an extremely good shot as seen in "Snuff". Rufus Drumknott is secretary to Lord Vetinari, Rincewind is a failed student in Unseen University and Mustrum Ridcully is the Archchancellor of the University.

2. In "Little Women", who keeps house for Marmee, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy March?

From Quiz Helping Hands

Answer: Hannah

The loyal Hannah stays with the family even when they fall on hard times.

3. "The Modern Prometheus" is the subtitle of which famous 19th century novel about a mad scientist and his attempts at reanimation?

From Quiz The Doctor Is Out...Of His Mind!

Answer: Frankenstein

Mary Shelley's novel "Frankenstein", with the subtitle of "The Modern Prometheus", is one of the most famous horror novels of all time. It focuses on a scientist driven to the brink of insanity by his experiments dealing with the reanimation of a dead human being. It should be noted that Frankenstein is the name of the doctor, not the name of the monster, as is commonly believed by those who have not read the novel.

4. In the "Black Magician" trilogy, written by Trudi Canavan, a young girl throws two stones at some magicians; the second shot gets through the magicians' defence and knocks one unconscious. What was the girl's name?

From Quiz The Colour of Magic

Answer: Sonea

The series starts in the slums of Imardin, where every year the slum dwellers are purged from the city streets. When Sonea's second stone penetrates the magicians' defence shield, both she and the magicians realize that she is capable of magic. The first book deals with her trying to escape the clutches of the magicians until she is persuaded to join them so that she can be trained in how to control her magic powers. The second and third follow her life as a magician. Question from ArthurR.

5. Alexandra Spofford, Jane Smart and Sukie Rougement are collectively known as which group of witches?

From Quiz Which Witch

Answer: The Witches of Eastwick

"The Witches of Eastwick" is a 1984 John Updike novel, which tells of three women who acquire their powers after leaving, or being left by, their husbands. Into their lives comes Daryl Van Horne, a devilish man, who seduces them and then betrays them by marrying their young friend, Jenny. A film version in 1987 starred Cher, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer and a wonderfully cast Jack Nicholson.

6. Chaucer's Canterbury pilgrims include a Man of Law. Who is the subject of his tale?

From Quiz Lawyers in Anglo-American Literature

Answer: Constance

The Man of Law was a sergeant or serjeant, one of the highest ranking members of the profession. The story of the tribulations of Constance ("Custance" in Chaucer), a Christian emperor's daughter, who suffers at the hands of pagans in Syria and Britain, was a well known medieval tale. It can also be found in the "Confessio Amantis" of Chaucer's contemporary John Gower.

7. There is a Doctor of Physic among Chaucer's Canterbury pilgrims. He tells the tale of a Roman girl who was killed by her father to save her from dishonour at the hands of the deceivir Appius Claudius. What was the girl's name?

From Quiz Doctors in Literature

Answer: Virginia

The story of Virginia comes from the third book of Livy's history of Rome. It was re-told and adapted countless times in European literature.

8. One of Chaucer's Canterbury pilgrims was a parson. Which pilgrim was the parson's brother?

From Quiz The Clergy in English Literature

Answer: The Plowman

"With hym ther was a Plowman, was his brother" (Prologue, line 531). Generally speaking, Chaucer's ecclesiastics are an unedifying bunch. The Friar, the Summoner and the Pardoner see their flock only as a source of money. The Monk and the Prioress are very worldly characters. By contrast, the Parson (a parish priest) is depicted as a genuinely pious man, teaching goodness by example rather than precept, and devoting himself to his parishioners. The Canterbury Tales conclude with the Parson's sermon on the seven deadly sins.

9. Wanted: Outdoorsman to accompany four creatures through the forest. Must be courageous and know the terrain well. Noble birth preferred, but not necessary. Enquire within the Prancing Pony.

From Quiz Help Wanted

Answer: Strider

Strider, also known as Aragorn, is a character from "The Lord of the Rings". The trilogy written by J.R.R. Tolkien is one of the most loved works of literature for children and adults. Tolkien was a mentor and friend to the famous C.S. Lewis.

10. Hamlet. Often considered to be the greatest play by the greatest writer, the title character is instantly recognizable to everyone. What caused the death of Hamlet's father?

From Quiz The Ten Most Famous Literary Characters

Answer: Poison

In my opinion, Romeo and Juliet would be next in line as Shakespeare's most well-known characters.

11. One of SPECTRE's leaders, Tamil Rahani, is taken in by a ruse that sees a disgraced James Bond infiltrate the organisation in which 1984 novel, written by John Gardner?

From Quiz Smoke and Mirrors

Answer: Role of Honour

When Bond receives a large inheritance, nay-sayers crawl out of the woodwork, accusing him of a range of improprieties, which eventually lead to him being kicked out of the Secret Service. Without work, Bond puts the word out that he's "available" and this draws SPECTRE to his door. Initially meeting with Jay Autem Holy, he is eventually introduced to Tamil Rahani and finds himself involved in a plot to disarm the USA's nuclear capacity and provide Russia with a significant advantage in the Cold War. Bond's initial dismissal was a set-up and he denies SPECTRE their victory and, in the process, he captures Rahini. Rahini escapes, but is seriously injured, which leaves him with cancer of the spine and not very long to live. He resurfaces in Gardner's next novel, "Nobody Lives Forever" (1986), where he places a large bounty on Bond's head but is killed by Bond courtesy of a planted "bed bomb". This honourable question has been created by Phoenix Rising team member pollucci19.

12. While teen detective Nancy Drew was out investigating crimes, who was keeping house for Nancy and her father?

From Quiz Helping Hands

Answer: Hannah Gruen

The first Nancy Drew book appeared in 1930. The stories are updated regularly; as of 2012, Nancy is driving a hybrid car and using a cell phone. However, she is still dating Ned Nickerson and hanging out with friends Bess Marvin and George Fayne.

13. Among Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales' is 'The Knight's Tale', but he is not the only one to feature knights in his story. Another knightly tale comes from a woman described as the 'Wife' from which English city?

From Quiz Knights' Tales

Answer: Bath

'The Wife of Bath's Tale' is set in the times of King Arthur, and is about a knight who has one year to find the answer to the question 'what is it that most women desire?' or face execution for rape. Eventually, an old woman tells him the answer is 'to have control over her husband', which saves him from death but at the price of marrying the crone. Having surrendered to her will and kissed her, she turns into a beautiful young woman, so his submission is rewarded. 'The Knight's Tale' is a rather more conventional story of courtly love.

14. Doctor Clayton Forrester is one of the characters in which famous work by H.G. Wells?

From Quiz The Doctor Is Out...Of His Mind!

Answer: War of the Worlds

"The War of the Worlds" by H.G. Wells is a science fiction novel published in 1898 that was considered by many to be ahead of its time. The story takes place in London in the novel and in California in the 1953 movie that it inspired. This novel about the possible annihilation of mankind by beings from another world was also made into a 60-minute radio program that was narrated by actor and filmmaker Orson Wells. Dr. Forrester, whose name is not known until radio and movie adaptations, is one of the terrified characters, being driven mad by fear of the unknown, who attempts to kill the enemy with biological warfare. The differences in the novel, the movie, the radio presentation, and a subsequent television show, are too many to list.

15. "Dime Store Magic" and its sequel "Industrial Magic" are stories with which witch as the main character?

From Quiz Which Witch

Answer: Paige Winterbourne

Written by Canadian author Kelly Armstrong, these books are set in a supernatural world that is very real and believable. Unlike other books with similar settings, in this world witches and sorcerers are enemies, not natural allies. Paige Winterbourne is the daughter of a deceased witch and coven leader, and is under constant pressure from the elders of the coven to do things "properly". This means not drawing attention to the coven and doing things the way they have always been done. Something Paige seems unable to do.

16. In the famous courtroom scene in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice", one of the characters appears disguised as a lawyer named Balthazar, and successfully defends Antonio. Who is Balthazar?

From Quiz Lawyers in Anglo-American Literature

Answer: Portia

Antonio has borrowed three thousand ducats from the moneylender Shylock, and agreed to pledge a pound of his flesh as security. When he is unable to pay, Shylock gleefully demands his rights and is deaf to all pleas for mercy. But the tables are turned when Portia/Balthazar points out that the bond does not allow him to shed any blood in taking his pound of flesh.

17. "Le Malade Imaginaire" ("The Imaginary Invalid" or "The Hypochondriac"), a French comedy first produced in 1673, contains a good deal of satirical fun at the expense of the medical profession. Who wrote it?

From Quiz Doctors in Literature

Answer: Molière

"Le Malade Imaginaire" was Molière's last work, finished very shortly before his death. Molière was plagued by illness during the last years of his life, and his low opinion of the seventeenth-century medical profession is undoubtedly based on personal experience.

18. Among the early English ballads are several about Robin Hood and his merry men. One of the band is a friar. What is his name?

From Quiz The Clergy in English Literature

Answer: Friar Tuck

Tuck appears in the ballad of "Robin Hood and the Curtal Friar," where he gets the better of Robin. The ballad probably dates from the late fifteenth century, though the earliest extant manuscript text was written about two centuries later.

19. Wanted: Beautiful woman willing to be kidnapped and seduced by a variety of ancient men. Sensitivity to the spiritual world is appreciated. Offspring of Zeus are encouraged to apply.

From Quiz Help Wanted

Answer: Helen

Helen of Troy was rumored to be one of the most beautiful woman to ever step foot on the face of the earth. Her radiant face is the only one that "has launched a thousand ships".

20. In the sixth James Bond novel, "Dr No" (1958), the title villain has prosthetic body parts. What were they?

From Quiz Smoke and Mirrors

Answer: Two hands

In the novel, the prosthetic hands are merely pincers. How Dr No got them is part of his back story. He was the issue of a German missionary and a Chinese girl. He worked for a Chinese crime syndicate in New York City and stole a million dollars in gold from them. They tracked him down, cut off his hands and shot him through the left side of the chest, but wait! Dr No had dextrocardia - his heart was on the right side of his chest so he survived. And then he met Mr Bond.... This question was written by Phoenix Rising Team Member 1nn1 who uses a pincer grip when writing out Fun Trivia questions.

21. In Mario Puzo's "The Godfather", which former New York City policeman acts as Michael Corleone's personal assassin by executing both Moe Greene and Emilio Barzini?

From Quiz Ready, Aim ... Fire!

Answer: Al Neri

Although a policeman is normally not allowed to become a member of the mafia, aka a made man, an exception is made in Al's case because he served time in prison for manslaughter after killing a drug dealer/pimp with his flashlight. Tom Hagen and Peter Clemenza arrange for his release from prison and appeal to his Sicilian-American roots in recruiting him. He serves Michael in the same capacity as that in which Luca Brasi served Michael's father Vito, and with the same loyalty and devotion. When Michael cleans house to re-establish his family's control of organized crime, it is Neri who kills Moe Greene in Vegas and Emilio Brazini in New York on the courthouse steps while wearing his old policeman uniform. In the movie Neri only kills Brazini, because the two assassinations take place simultaneously, but this is a departure from the novel. This question was created by Phoenix Rising member tazman6619.

22. This butler was created by William Shakespeare and serves the household of the shipwrecked Alonso. What is his name?

From Quiz What the Butler Saw

Answer: Stephano

Appearing in Shakespeare's "Tempest", Stephano is a murderous rebel and drunk who tries to recruit Caliban, by giving him large quantities of alcohol, to the murder of Prospero. Stephano and court jester Trinculo think that they can become masters, only to be brought to order by the magic of Prospero. Antonio is Alonso's brother; Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are characters in "Hamlet".

23. P.G. Wodehouse created the rich, hapless Bertie Wooster and his brilliant valet. Name the man who regularly rescues his boss.

From Quiz Helping Hands

Answer: Jeeves

Jeeves and Wooster were featured in 11 novels and 35 short stories. The characters have been portrayed on film by Arthur Treacher/David Niven and Hugh Laurie/Stephen Fry.

24. Sir John Falstaff appears in three of Shakespeare's plays. He is a character in 'Henry IV, part I', 'Henry IV, part II' and which other play?

From Quiz Knights' Tales

Answer: The Merry Wives of Windsor

Falstaff is the companion to Prince Hal, the future King Henry V, in the two historical plays and is depicted as fat, braggardly, vain and a coward. He is put aside once the prince becomes king, and does not appear in 'Henry V', although his death is mentioned. In 'The Merry Wives of Windsor' Falstaff is trying to attract the attentions of two different women, Mistresses Page and Ford, in the hope that one of them will solve his financial difficulties. His plans come to naught and Falstaff is publicly humiliated while accepting that he deserved this outcome.

25. Which fictional superhero has a mad scientist named Lex Luthor as his archenemy?

From Quiz The Doctor Is Out...Of His Mind!

Answer: Superman

Lex Luthor first appeared in the April 1940 edition of DC Action Comics #23. He is described as a mad doctor bent on controlling the earth. He uses his intelligence to make futuristic weapons in his quest for world domination. He is Superman's archenemy and they have been battling each other for many decades.

26. In the "Conclave of Shadows" trilogy, part of the "Riftwar Saga" series of books written by Raymond E. Feist, who is the magician who is the leader of the Conclave of Shadows?

From Quiz The Colour of Magic

Answer: Pug

Pug, who appears in Feist's first book "Magician" (English version 1982) is a 13 year old boy who becomes apprentice to the Magician Kulgan, the court wizard of Castle Crydee, on Midkemia. The world is invaded by a race called the Tsurani from Kelewan through a rift. The rift was created by The Great Ones, as the magicians are known there, and after Pug is captured and becomes a slave, his magical powers are soon recognised by The Great Ones, and he is trained in their magic. He returns to Midkemia and plays a big part in ending the war. In later books he battles demons, and creatures from other dimensions, until he meets Sidi/Leso Varen ("Tear of the Gods" 2000), a dark necromancer, with powers far in excess of his. Although Sidi/Leso Varen dies a number of times, he is not killed. The evil necromancer's powers prevent his soul from dying when his body is destroyed, allowing him to constantly return in other bodies to harass the Conclave. Pug's struggle to permanently destroy Leso Varen becomes a primary story element in the "Conclave of Shadows" trilogy (2002-2004) and the "Darkwar Saga" trilogy (2005-2008). Question from ArthurR.

27. In "Good Omens: the Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch" what is the name of Agnes Nutter's descendant?

From Quiz Which Witch

Answer: Anathema Device

This 1990 collaboration between Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman is about the birth of the Antichrist, the end of the world, and the efforts of the representatives on earth of both God and Satan to prevent this, because they have become very comfortable with life exactly the way it is. To do this they need Agnes Nutter's book of prophecies, the only remaining copy of which is in the possession of her descendant, Anathema Device.

28. In one of Dickens's novels Serjeant Buzfuz, instructed by Messrs Dodson and Fogg, appears for the plaintiff in an action for breach of promise of marriage. Who is the defendant?

From Quiz Lawyers in Anglo-American Literature

Answer: Samuel Pickwick

The unscrupulous lawyers Dodson and Fogg persuade Pickwick's landlady, Mrs Bardell, to sue on the strength of a few innocuous notes written by Pickwick. Pickwick loses the case but refuses to pay damages or Mrs Bardell's costs, preferring to be incarcerated in a debtor's prison. Of course, all turns out for the best in the end.

29. One of the principal characters in Dickens's "A Tale of Two Cities" is a French doctor who has been imprisoned in the Bastille for eighteen years and released shortly before the story starts. What is his surname?

From Quiz Doctors in Literature

Answer: Manette

Dr Manette was imprisoned by the Marquis Saint-Évremonde to prevent him from revealing the truth about the nobleman's treatment of a peasant family. After eighteen years of solitary confinement he has lost his senses and his memory, but he is gradually restored to health and sanity by the love of his daughter Lucie.

30. In Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," who is the friar who acts as the confidant of the two lovers and supplies the sleeping draught for Juliet?

From Quiz The Clergy in English Literature

Answer: Friar Lawrence

Friar John is Lawrence's companion who is unable to deliver Lawrence's message about the sleeping draught to Romeo. The other two choices are imaginary.

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