In "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Nick Bottom is a weaver, one of the so-called "rude mechanicals" who decide to put on a play to celebrate the wedding of Theseus and Hippolyta. He is cast in the lead male role of Pyramus, although in his enthusiasm he wants to play all the other parts as well. Bottom is also the unwitting victim of a trick by the mischievous imp, Puck, who first gives him a donkey's head and then gives Titania, the Queen of the Fairies, a potion which makes her fall in love with him.
2. Bertram
Answer: All's Well that Ends Well
Bertram is the young Count of Roussillon in "All's Well That Ends Well", who is loved by the poor-born Helena, the ward of his mother. He does not reciprocate her feelings, but she tricks him into marrying her. Not surprisingly, he is a bit upset by this, and says he will only accept her once she bears his child and obtains a ring from his finger. By means of a further trick, Helena takes the place of another woman (Diana) in his bed and afterwards persuades Bertram to give her the ring, thus fulfilling both parts of the bargain.
When Helena presents him with this fait accompli, Bertram declares his love for her, in a rather sudden change of heart.
3. Bassanio
Answer: The Merchant Of Venice
Bassanio is the successful suitor of Portia in "The Merchant Of Venice", successfully choosing the lead casket in the "guessing game" which all her prospective suitors are forced to undergo. He is also the close friend of Antonio, the merchant of the play's title, who agrees to stand as guarantor of a financial loan which Bassanio takes out with the Jewish moneylender Shylock. Shylock agrees to loan Bassanio 3000 ducats on the understanding that if Antonio is unable to pay the money back by a certain date, Shylock will take a pound of Antonio's flesh.
The consequences of this bargain form the principal plot of the play.
4. Bardolph
Answer: Henry IV Parts 1 and 2
Bardolph is one of Sir John Falstaff's disreputable entourage in the two parts of "Henry IV". He is characterised as a roguish drunk with a large red nose and is often the subject of ribald jokes by Falstaff and Prince Hal. He also appears in "Henry V", having joined the English army in its war against France.
In this play, however, his roguery goes too far, and he is hanged for looting from a church after the Battle of Harfleur. His fourth appearance in a Shakespeare play (a record for any character) is alongside Falstaff in the comedy "The Merry Wives of Windsor".
5. Brutus, Marcus
Answer: Julius Caesar
Marcus Brutus, while not the title character, is in some ways the most important character in Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar". While apparently his friend, he is persuaded by a group of senators to join their conspiracy to kill Caesar, who they fear is becoming dangerously dictatorial.
They successfully stab Caesar to death, who utters the famous dying words "Et tu, Brute?" ("You too, Brutus?") when he realises his friend is one of his assassins. This act leads to a civil war, in which the supporters of the conspiracy are eventually defeated. Brutus, believing up to the end that he has acted in the best interests of Rome, commits suicide by running onto his own sword.
6. Bianca
Answer: The Taming Of The Shrew
Bianca is the younger sister of Katherine, the "Shrew" of the title. Whereas Katherine is bad-tempered, argumentative, and disobedient, Bianca is her complete opposite: obedient, compliant, and good-natured. Bianca has several suitors who wish to marry her, but her father, Baptista Minola, decrees that no-one will be allowed to marry Bianca until Katherine is married first - a seemingly unlikely outcome. Fortunately, Petruchio, a visitor from Verona, is persuaded to woo and marry her, leaving Bianca free to marry Lucentio, her own favoured suitor.
7. Berowne
Answer: Love's Labour's Lost
Berowne is one of the three Lords attending on the King of Navarre in "Love's Labour's Lost". When the King proposes that they promise to avoid the company of women for three years, it is Berowne who is the most sceptical about the practicality of the plan.
He is, not surprisingly, soon proved to be correct. When the Princess of France and her three attendant ladies turn up unexpectedly at the court, it is not long before the four men have fallen hopelessly in love. Berowne's lady, Rosaline, turns out to be as quick-witted as he, and gives as good as she gets in their conversations.
8. Belch, Sir Toby
Answer: Twelfth Night
In "Twelfth Night", Sir Toby Belch is the uncle of Countess Olivia. Although living as part of her household, he spends most of his time carousing riotously with his friend, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and Olivia's professional Fool, Feste. While superficially an entertaining character, his tricks and jokes are invariably at someone else's expense, and it is clear that he has been sponging off the wealthy Sir Andrew while secretly despising him as an idiot.
9. Beatrice
Answer: Much Ado About Nothing
Beatrice is one of Shakespeare's most celebrated female roles. She is feisty and quick-witted and carries on a vigorous war of words with a soldier named Benedick, the two taking delight in throwing insults at each other. A plot is hatched to persuade Beatrice that Benedick is in love with her but is afraid to admit it, and vice versa.
This is successful, and at the end of the play they are married.
10. Banquo
Answer: Macbeth
Banquo is the best friend of Macbeth and is with him when the Three Witches prophesy that Macbeth will be king. They also prophesy that Banquo will father a line of kings, while not becoming king himself. Macbeth, seeing this as a threat to his own offspring, has Banquo killed, although Banquo's son, Fleance, manages to escape. Banquo later reappears as a ghost at a banquet held by Macbeth.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
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