Shakespearean Phrases: From Which Play? Quiz

Answer: Richard III

In Shakespeare's play 'Richard III', the character King Richard III famously exclaims "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!" during the Battle of Bosworth Field. This line is often quoted and referenced in popular culture and has become a well-known phrase associated with the play and the character of Richard III.
There is, however, no historical evidence to suggest that the real King Richard III ever made such a plea for a horse during the battle.

Answer: Hamlet

The answer to the question is 'Hamlet', one of Shakespeare's most famous plays. The line "Alas, Poor Yorick" is spoken by the title character, Prince Hamlet, as he holds the skull of his former friend and jester, Yorick. This scene is often cited as one of the most iconic and memorable in all of Shakespeare's works, and has been referenced and parodied in countless films, TV shows, and other forms of media.

The character of Yorick himself never actually appears on stage in the play, and is only mentioned briefly in this one scene.

Answer: As You Like It

The answer to the question is 'As You Like It'. This play is a pastoral comedy written by William Shakespeare in 1599 or early 1600. The phrase "All the world's a stage" is spoken by the character Jaques in Act II, Scene VII. The speech compares the world to a stage and life to a play, then catalogues the seven stages of a man's life.

This phrase has become one of Shakespeare's most famous quotes and is often referenced in popular culture.

Answer: Julius Caesar

The phrase "Beware the ides of March" is a warning given to Julius Caesar by a soothsayer in William Shakespeare's play, 'Julius Caesar'. The ides of March refers to March 15th, which was a fateful day for Caesar as he was assassinated by a group of senators on that day. The phrase has become a popular idiom used to warn someone of impending danger or misfortune.

Answer: Macbeth

The phrase "Double, double, toil and trouble" is a famous line from the play 'Macbeth' by William Shakespeare. It is spoken by the three witches as they brew a potion in their cauldron. The line has become synonymous with witchcraft and is often referenced in popular culture (although often misquoted as "Double, bubble, toil and trouble").

The use of the word "double" in the line is thought to refer to the witches' use of double, or duplicate, ingredients in their potion.

Answer: Twelfth Night

The phrase "If music be the food of love, play on" is spoken by Duke Orsino in Shakespeare's play 'Twelfth Night'. The line is often interpreted as a metaphor for the Duke's unrequited love for the character Olivia, with music representing the passion that fuels his desire.

The play also features a subplot involving a character named Malvolio who is tricked into believing that Olivia is in love with him, leading to comedic misunderstandings and mistaken identities. 'Twelfth Night' is known for its themes of love, gender identity, and social class, and remains a popular play in Shakespearean literature.

Answer: A Midsummer Night's Dream

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', the character Puck utters the famous line, "Lord, what fools these mortals be!" This comedic play by William Shakespeare explores the themes of love, magic, and the folly of human nature. The line is spoken by Puck as he observes the foolishness of the mortal characters in the play, who are caught up in a web of mistaken identities and romantic entanglements.

The play has been adapted numerous times in various forms of media, including film, television, and stage productions, and remains a beloved work of literature to this day.

Answer: The Tempest

"The Tempest" is a play written by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1610-1611. The play tells the story of Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, who has been exiled to a remote island with his daughter Miranda. "We are such stuff as dreams are made on" is a famous line from the play, spoken by Prospero in Act IV, Scene 1.

The line is often interpreted as a reflection on the ephemeral nature of human existence and the power of imagination.

Answer: Othello

And that truly describes the tragic title character of 'The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice', written about 1603. Othello is duped into believing that he has been betrayed by the wife he adores, and ultimately kills her in a fit of blind rage that has been carefully stoked by his villainous aide Iago.

When Desdemona's innocence and Iago's duplicity are revealed, he kills himself in the best tragic tradition.

Answer: King Lear

In 'King Lear', the character of King Lear utters the famous phrase "More sinned against than sinning." This line is spoken by Lear as he reflects on the injustices he has faced and the mistakes he has made throughout the play. This phrase has become a common idiom used to describe someone who has been wronged more than they have wronged others. Shakespeare's influence on the English language is undeniable, and this quote is just one example of how his words have become a part of our everyday speech.