Theatre History Basics! Trivia Quiz

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  • 1/19 Questions

    Who was Dionysus?

    • The god of wine, revelry and fertility
    • The god of war
    • The god of love
    • The god of the sun
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About This Quiz

Explore the origins and evolution of theatre through this engaging trivia quiz. Test your knowledge on key historical figures, play types, and stage designs in theatre history.

Theatre History Basics! Trivia Quiz - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    What was the play Medea about?

    • Medea rescued Jason from drowning.

    • Medea got her family together for a barbeque.

    • Medea's husband Jason left her for another woman and Medea killed her children.

    • Medea and Antigone go out to tea.

    Correct Answer
    A. Medea's husband Jason left her for another woman and Medea killed her children.
    Explanation
    The play Medea is about a woman named Medea whose husband, Jason, leaves her for another woman. In her rage and despair, Medea seeks revenge and kills her own children as a way to hurt Jason. The play explores themes of betrayal, revenge, and the consequences of extreme actions.

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  • 3. 

    What is a character's objective?

    • What he/she wants to achieve

    • What he/she does to someone else

    • The main topic of the day

    Correct Answer
    A. What he/she wants to achieve
    Explanation
    A character's objective refers to what he/she wants to achieve. It is the goal or purpose that drives the character's actions and decisions throughout the story. Understanding a character's objective helps to provide insight into their motivations and allows the audience to connect with the character on a deeper level. By knowing what a character wants to achieve, the audience can follow their journey and see how they pursue their goals, facing obstacles and making choices along the way.

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  • 4. 

    Who was Thespis?

    • A Roman

    • A student of Aristotle

    • The first actor.

    • A made up person.

    Correct Answer
    A. The first actor.
    Explanation
    Thespis was the first actor in ancient Greece. He is credited with introducing the concept of an individual actor who portrayed a character in a play, rather than having a chorus perform all the roles. Thespis is considered the founder of Greek tragedy and his innovative approach to acting laid the foundation for the development of theater as we know it today.

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  • 5. 

    What was a popular sport played by the nobility during the Renaissance period?

    • Football

    • Tomato tossing

    • Jousting

    • Pie eating contests

    Correct Answer
    A. Jousting
    Explanation
    Jousting was a popular sport played by the nobility during the Renaissance period. It involved two knights on horseback charging at each other with lances, aiming to knock their opponent off their horse. Jousting was considered a display of chivalry and skill, and it was often performed in tournaments and festivals. The nobility enjoyed this sport as it showcased their bravery and prowess in combat, while also providing entertainment for spectators.

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  • 6. 

    Which direction is upstage?

    • Toward the audience

    • To the left of the stage

    • To the right of the stage

    • Toward the back of the stage

    Correct Answer
    A. Toward the back of the stage
    Explanation
    Upstage refers to the area of the stage that is furthest away from the audience. This means that when an actor or object moves towards the back of the stage, they are moving upstage. The term "upstage" originated from the days when stages were raked, sloping upwards towards the back. This made the upstage area physically higher than the downstage area, creating a visual effect of depth. Therefore, the correct answer is "Toward the back of the stage."

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  • 7. 
    What is this a picture of? - ProProfs

    What is this a picture of?

    • A hanging

    • An amphitheater

    • A puppet show

    • A pageant wagon

    Correct Answer
    A. A pageant wagon
  • 8. 

    Who stood and watched plays in the Elizabethan period?

    • Nobility

    • The Queen

    • The Groundlings

    • The children

    Correct Answer
    A. The Groundlings
    Explanation
    During the Elizabethan period, the Groundlings, who were the lower-class citizens, stood and watched plays. Unlike the nobility who had seating in the galleries and the Queen who had a private box, the Groundlings stood in the open courtyard in front of the stage. They were known for being rowdy and enthusiastic, often interacting with the actors and creating a lively atmosphere during performances.

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  • 9. 
    What time period is this style of stage from? - ProProfs

    What time period is this style of stage from?

    • Greek

    • Roman

    • Medieval

    • Renaissance

    Correct Answer
    A. Renaissance
  • 10. 

    What type of scripts did Commedia del Arte use?

    • Full 5 act long scripts.

    • They only used general guidelines.

    • None at all, they made it up as they went (completely)

    • What is a script?

    Correct Answer
    A. They only used general guidelines.
    Explanation
    Commedia del Arte used only general guidelines instead of full 5 act long scripts. This allowed the actors to improvise and adapt their performances based on the audience's reactions and the specific circumstances of each performance. The use of general guidelines also gave the actors more freedom to showcase their comedic skills and interact with each other in a spontaneous and dynamic manner.

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  • 11. 

    Who outlawed theatre at the end of the Roman era?

    Correct Answer
    the church
    Catholics
    the Roman Catholic Church
    the Catholic Church
    Explanation
    The correct answer is the Roman Catholic Church. During the end of the Roman era, the Roman Catholic Church gained significant power and influence. They considered theatre to be immoral and a threat to their authority, leading them to outlaw it. As a result, theatre performances were banned and discouraged, contributing to the decline of theatre during this period.

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  • 12. 
    What type of stage is this? - ProProfs

    What type of stage is this?

    Correct Answer
    amphitheatre
    amphitheater
  • 13. 

    What festival did the Greeks hold each year to honor Dionysus? This festival became the birthplace of theatre.

    • City Athenia

    • Greek Festival

    • Dionysus's Festival

    • City Dionysia

    Correct Answer
    A. City Dionysia
    Explanation
    The Greeks held a festival called City Dionysia each year to honor Dionysus. This festival became the birthplace of theatre.

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  • 14. 

    Who was in charge during the Medieval period?

    Correct Answer
    the church
    the Catholic Church
    the Roman Catholic church
    Explanation
    During the Medieval period, the church, specifically the Catholic Church, held significant power and influence. It played a central role in governing and controlling various aspects of society, including political, social, and religious matters. The church held authority over the clergy, controlled the education system, and had a strong influence on the ruling class. Therefore, it can be inferred that the church, the Catholic Church, or the Roman Catholic church was in charge during the Medieval period.

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  • 15. 

    During the Medieval period, there were three levels of class. Which level did the serfs belong to?

    Correct Answer
    lower
    poor
    slave
    Explanation
    During the Medieval period, serfs belonged to the lower class. They were peasants who worked on the land owned by the nobles in exchange for protection and the right to live on the land. Serfs were not considered slaves because they were not owned by the nobles, but they were tied to the land and had limited freedom. They were also considered poor because they had little wealth or social status.

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  • 16. 

    What type of play is a Miracle play?

    • Bible stories

    • About right and wrong

    • About the saints

    • About miracles

    Correct Answer
    A. About the saints
    Explanation
    A Miracle play is a type of play that focuses on the lives and stories of saints. These plays often depict the miracles performed by the saints and their interactions with the divine. They were popular during the medieval period and were performed as a form of religious entertainment and education. The plays aimed to inspire and teach the audience about the lives of the saints and their extraordinary abilities.

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  • 17. 

    What were Mystery plays about?

    Correct Answer
    Bible stories
    the bible
    church
    Explanation
    Mystery plays were theatrical performances that originated in the Middle Ages and were popular in Europe. These plays were performed by guilds and were centered around biblical stories. They were often performed inside or outside churches and aimed to educate people about the stories and teachings of the Bible. Therefore, the correct answer options, "Bible stories," "the bible," and "church," all accurately represent the subject matter of Mystery plays.

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  • 18. 

    Name two playwrights from the Renaissance period.

    Correct Answer
    Moliere, Shakespeare, Jonson
    Shakespeare, Marlow
    William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlow
    Moliere, Jonson
    Christopher Marlow, Ben Jonson
    Explanation
    The correct answer is William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlow.

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  • 19. 

    What is the 4th wall?

    Correct Answer
    an invisible wall between the actors and the audience
    an invisible wall
    a wall between the actors and audience
    Explanation
    The 4th wall refers to an invisible barrier between the actors on stage and the audience. It is a concept commonly used in theater and film, where the performers act as if the audience is not present, creating a sense of realism. Breaking the 4th wall occurs when the actors acknowledge the audience's presence, directly addressing them or making them aware that they are watching a performance. This concept enhances the theatrical experience and can be used for comedic effect or to create a more intimate connection with the audience.

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Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Mar 21, 2023 +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Mar 21, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Jan 29, 2009
    Quiz Created by
    Sranzau
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