Question 1: We’re celebrating Shakespeare Day. What was William Shakespeare also known as?
- The Bard of Avon
- The Master of the Macabre
- The Good Gray Poet
Answer: The Bard of Avon
Fact: William Shakespeare, born on April 23, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, gifted the world with legendary love stories, grand tragedies, and sharp-tongued insults—such as “Thou art a boil, a plague-sore” from King Lear, and “I’ll beat thee, but I would infect my hands” from Timon of Athens. Even in death, his command of language endured; his epitaph cautions grave robbers with the words: “Blessed be the man that spares these stones, And cursed be he that moves my bones.”
Question 2: Which Shakespeare play is also known as ‘The Scottish Play’ because of a superstition?
- Hamlet
- Macbeth
- The Tempest
Answer: Macbeth
Fact: A well-known theatrical superstition warns that uttering the word ‘Macbeth’ inside a theater—unless it’s part of the script during a rehearsal or performance—can bring bad luck. This belief originates from a legend claiming that Shakespeare used authentic witches’ spells in the play, which allegedly provoked supernatural forces. If someone accidentally says the word, tradition dictates that they must leave the theater, perform a cleansing ritual, and be formally invited back in to prevent misfortune. Typical rituals include spinning in place three times, spitting over the left shoulder, uttering a curse, or quoting a line from another of Shakespeare’s plays.
Question 3: Which of these words is believed to have been first used by Shakespeare?
- Champion as a verb
- Exhibit as a noun
- Love as a noun
Answer: Champion as a verb
Fact: The word champion had existed as a noun since the early 13th century, but it was Shakespeare who first used it as a verb in Macbeth. In Act III, Scene I, Macbeth calls upon Fate, saying, “Come fate into the list. And champion me to the utterance!” In this context, champion as a verb meant to challenge someone to a contest. Over time, however, the meaning has shifted—today, champion as a verb typically refers to advocating for or defending a cause.