80 Shakespeare S Tragedies Trivia Questions with Answers
80 public questions with answers, drawn from the well. How many can you answer?
Challenge yourself with trivia about Shakespeare's tragedies, where ambition, jealousy, revenge, and political power drive some of literature's most memorable plots. This hub covers Othello, Hamlet, Macbeth, Antony and Cleopatra, Timon of Athens, and Titus Andronicus, asking about characters, battles, murders, betrayals, and turning points.
Do you know which Venetian gentleman in love with Desdemona is killed by Iago, which king Macbeth murders, or the naval battle where Antony's fleet is defeated? Other questions reach into darker details, including the fate of Lavinia in Titus Andronicus and the names of servants and senators. The set is suited to literature classes, Shakespeare study groups, pub quizzes, and serious game-night teams.
In Macbeth, what is the name of the king murdered by Macbeth?
Answer
King Duncan
In Antony and Cleopatra, at which naval battle is Antony's fleet defeated by Octavius?
Answer
Battle of Actium
In Antony and Cleopatra, what sea battle is fought between Octavius and Antony?
Answer
Battle of Actium
In King Lear, what is the name of the character who is blinded?
Answer
Gloucester
In Macbeth, which English king is said to have the power to heal?
Answer
Edward the Confessor
In Hamlet, what plant's juice is used to poison the king?
Answer
hebenon
In Antony and Cleopatra, what is the name of the Egyptian queen?
Answer
Cleopatra
In Othello, what is the name of Iago's wife?
Answer
Emilia
In King Lear, which suitor marries Cordelia?
Answer
The King of France
In Hamlet, what is the name of Laertes's father?
Answer
Polonius
In Hamlet, who kills Polonius?
Answer
Hamlet
In Titus Andronicus, what is the name of Tamora's lover?
Answer
Aaron the Moor
In Timon of Athens, what is the name of the Athenian general?
Answer
Alcibiades
In Macbeth, what is the name of Macduff's wife?
Answer
Lady Macduff
In Othello, what is the name of the governor of Cyprus?
Answer
Montano
In Hamlet, what is the name of the Danish royal castle?
Answer
Elsinore
In Macbeth, how many witches appear in the play?
Answer
Three
In Romeo and Juliet, what is the name of Juliet's mother?
Answer
Lady Capulet
In Hamlet, what is the title of the play-within-the-play?
Answer
The Mousetrap
In Romeo and Juliet, what is the name of the friar who marries the title characters?
Answer
Friar Laurence
In Titus Andronicus, what is the name of the emperor of Rome?
Answer
Saturninus
In Coriolanus, what is the name of Coriolanus's mother?
Answer
Volumnia
In Othello, what is the name of Othello's lieutenant?
Answer
Cassio
In Macbeth, what is the name of Macbeth's castle?
Answer
Inverness
In Hamlet, who is the father of Prince Hamlet?
Answer
King Hamlet
Shakespeare S Tragedies trivia — quick answers
What are good Shakespeare tragedy trivia questions?
Strong questions focus on characters, motives, political conflicts, major deaths, settings, and historical events. Examples include identifying Duncan, naming the courtier who arranges Hamlet's fencing match, and recalling the naval battle associated with Antony and Cleopatra.
How hard is Shakespeare tragedy trivia?
The difficulty varies widely. Famous figures such as Macbeth, Hamlet, and Othello are accessible, while questions about minor characters, servants, senators, and specific battle locations require close reading or familiarity with the complete plays.
Who is the king murdered by Macbeth?
Duncan, the King of Scotland, is murdered by Macbeth in Macbeth. Spurred by prophecy and encouraged by Lady Macbeth, Macbeth kills Duncan while the king is visiting Inverness. The murder begins Macbeth's violent rise to the Scottish throne and his eventual collapse.
At which naval battle is Antony's fleet defeated in Antony and Cleopatra?
Antony's fleet is defeated at the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE. The battle, fought off the western coast of Greece, was a decisive victory for Octavius over Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Its outcome paved the way for Octavius to become Rome's first emperor.
Who is killed by Iago in Othello after pursuing Desdemona?
Roderigo, a Venetian gentleman in love with Desdemona, is killed by Iago. Iago manipulates Roderigo into helping him disrupt Othello's marriage and later tries to use him against Cassio. When Roderigo is no longer useful, Iago attacks him to silence him.