Sunday, January 6, 2013

150 Quiz Answer

The answer, as so many obviously know, is "Hamlet."
(For Three-Word Wednesday and ABC Wednesday: "Z" is for "Zero.")
Each week I’ve been posting a quiz here. Folks seem to like them so here’s another one.
I wrote the following scene, inspired by one of the better-known Shakespeare plays. Your assignment – should you choose to accept it – is this: the scene is suggestive of which play?


“Come, sit down. Let’s have a little talk.”
“Yeah, Mom. Okay.”
“Mervyn and I are happy to welcome you into our home, Tim. We’re all family and we should be able to get together without any problems.”
“And you think I’m the one who caused the problems?”
“Now, now. Get that chip off your shoulder. Sooner or later you’re going to accept that your mother has married again, to a wonderful man, and that she’s very happy. She would like her son to be happy for her.”
“Oh, I accept it, all right. But happy about it? Not so much.”
“Well, if you’ve made up your mind to be difficult because you never got along with your Uncle Merv, it’s probably better if you don’t visit so often.”
“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.”
“Your father is gone, Tim, dead and gone. I know that’s a terrible loss for you – it’s a loss for all of us – but I decided to move on and marry again. And now Merv and I are a pair. Nothing you can say or do could destroy the love that your uncle and I have for each other.”
“I’m not trying to destroy it; I’m just focused on trying to understand it. Look at it from my point of view. You, my mother, are now joined up with this – this loser! Merv, for God’s sake! How could you!?”
“Now Tim, I’m not going to sit here and listen to this kind of vacant talk. Be respectful or just – just leave.”
“Your husband, my father, was a MAN! Talk about respect, everyone who knew him respected him, and loved him. And his brother, Merv - just look at him! He’s a nothing, a zero, a small fraction of a human being when compared with my Dad! And now the thought of the two of you rolling around on a sweaty bed together makes me want to puke!”
“That’s enough! I want you to leave now!”
“How could you, Mom? How could you?”

Go ahead; have a go. The previous scene is suggestive of which play?

48 comments:

Maurice Lauher said...

That would be Hamlet - Gertrude, young Hamlet's moms married Uncle Claudis - what a mess.

naturgesetz said...

It's beginning to sound a lot like Hamlet.

Tess Kincaid said...

Hamlet?

Berowne said...

Break out the flags; we have three winners! Tess K. - yes, THAT Tess K. - naturgesetz and moe lauher all came up with the orrect answer. Anyone else like to try?

Helen said...

I give!! ... going to read and enjoy your Mag now!!!

Mariya Koleva said...

hey, that's Hamlet, prince of Denmark :-) Haha, "Uncle Merv" :-)

Berowne said...

I'm pleased to add Mariya Koleva's name to the list of those who produced the correct answer. Who's next?

Laurie Kolp said...

Hamlet?

Roger Owen Green said...

I haven't read it in 40 years, but I'm guessing Hamlet.

Berowne said...

A few more winners. Roger O Green and Laurie Kolp both coughed up the correct answer. Congratulations. Who else will we be hearing from?

Kathe W. said...

Perchance Hamlet???

Berowne said...

Kathe W has just joined our winner's circle, having also come up with the correct answer.

Audrey Howitt aka Divalounger said...

Hamlet?

rel said...

Berowne,
I'll admit that Shakespeare and I are less than understanding of each other. And now that so many have correctly uncovered your plot I'm inclined to decline your challenge. But what the heck; nothing ventured etc.
I did play Hamlet in our high school production and this scene seems vaguely familiar, so I'll quess Hamlet.
rel

ninotaziz said...

Hamlet, surely?

Berowne said...

Three more who have given us the correct answer: ninotaziz, rel and Audrey Howitt. Congrats, all.

kaykuala said...

Berowne,
I get stumped all the previous times. My feel this is Hamlet.

Hank

Berowne said...

Chalk up kaykuala as another who has given us the correct answer. Quite a response...

Lyn said...

I can sort of see Kenneth Branagh playing Sonny Boy, sulking through the windy passages of Hamlet!! Or is this a gotcha moment?

Berowne said...

Lyn guessed right, and then asked: "Or is this a gotcha moment?" No, no gotcha; you gave the correct answer.

Don't Feed The Pixies said...

i saw David Tennant play Hamlet in Stratford - Patrick Stewart (Captain Picard) played both the ghost of the king and the new husband

He'd got a sore throat, but was otherwise very good

Love's Labour's Lost???

Seriously - Hamlet, or if you prefer Baconlet (the less successful sequel)

Berowne said...

Another right answer - and a witty one - was received from Don't Feed the Pixies. We got quite a group of winners this time around.

Carver said...

I'm very curious seeing so many have gotten the right answer but I don't have a clue. Carver, ABC Wed. Team

Tina said...

Not a Shakespeare aficionado...Seems familiar...
Came looking for your magpie...will have to do some digging. I believe you have another blog...

Tina @ Life is Good
http://kmdlifeisgood.blogspot.com/

Leslie: said...

My guess is Hamlet! Hope I join the winners' circle....

Leslie
abcw team

Berowne said...

Tina @ Life is Good: "I believe you have another blog..."
No, one is all my weary, overworked brain can handle.:-)

Berowne said...

"I'm very curious seeing so many have gotten the right answer."
We'll post the answer on Thursday.

Berowne said...

Leslie has also come up with the correct answer. She says she hopes she'll join the winners' circle. Leslie, you've always been in the winners' circle.:-)

Other Mary said...

Hamlet?

Richard Lawry said...

I should have paid more attention to Shakespeare when I was in school


An Arkies Musings


Berowne said...

Add Other Mary to the remarkable list of those who've come up with the correct answer. My congrats to all.

Anonymous said...

Berowne...is this a setup? Too easy.

hyperCRYPTICal said...

Hamlet?

Thanks for the quiz!

Anna :o]

Berowne said...

HyperCRYPTICal has joined those who have provided the correct answer - congratulations, Hyper.

Anonymous said...

Not a real Shakespeare fan, but it sounds like Romeo & Juliet to me.

CJ said...

You didn't mention that the boy suspected his uncle/stepfather of killing his father, but it must be Hamlet.

When I was in high school back in the spring of 1963 my English class rewrote Hamlet with Jackie Kennedy marrying Bobby after John's death, We used all the political bigwigs of the day. I think NIxon was cast as one of the gravediggers. Of course we were unaware that that John Kennedy would be murdered later that year.

Altonian said...

I give you the one - the only - Hamlet!

Zhana21 said...

Hamlet.

Berowne said...

Here's to three more who got the right answer: Zhana21, Altonian and CJ.

Sheilagh Lee said...

Hamlet

Stan Ski said...

The 3 words are in there :)... as for the quiz... pass :(

Berowne said...

Put the name Sheilagh Lee up in lights; she too came up with the right answer.

Mary A Writes said...

Darn, you answered it before I got to guess. I must be quicker next time.

Anonymous said...

i'll go with the consensus, that you already confirmed.

i was readying Lolita when I wrote that poem, ;) you nailed it.

Tumblewords: said...

It's much easier to find the answer if I wait til it's posted. :) Fun!

RMP said...

I'm glad the guessing is over so I don't have to embarrass myself with a shot in the dark. I am beginning to think I need to read more Shakespeare.

Sharp Little Pencil said...

Berowne, I was so proud of figuring out "Hamlet," and it's the ONLY one I've guessed right so far, but here it is Monday night and I'm just getting around to reading (flu and sprained ankle), and I scrolled down the comments. Hamlet, Hamlet, Hamlet... so now I feel... a bit diminished. But your posts are so much fun! Amy
http://sharplittlepencil.com/2013/01/11/zen-man/

AM Zafaran said...

This I enjoyed reading! Nice new style of responding to works! Gertrude, Claudius, Hamlet have a new life!

 
Blog designed by Blogger Boutique using Christy Skagg's "A Little Bit of That" kit.