The answer to this week's quiz: William Shakespeare's "Henry V."
(Also for Three Word Wednesday and ABC Wednesday: "Q" is for Quentin.)
Here’s this week’s Berownial quiz question.
(Also for Three Word Wednesday and ABC Wednesday: "Q" is for Quentin.)
Here’s this week’s Berownial quiz question.
As you know, Shakespeare wrote a number of plays
named for English kings. I wrote the
following, basing it loosely on one
of his most famous “king” plays.
Laurence Olivier and Kenneth Branagh starred in two of the famous films
made about this king.
So your assignment, should you choose to accept it,
is this: give us the name of the Shakespeare king suggested by the following.
Quentin
is a young guy with a top job.
When
his father passed away, Quentin became CEO of the family’s huge
corporation. He’s well aware that
there’s a possibility that because of his youth some people are not going to be
taking him seriously.
Today’s
a big day. He has a meeting scheduled
with another CEO to discuss a possible merger.
The man who shows up for the meeting has brought a gift. Because lanky young Quentin has a reputation as a
tennis player, the gift is a box of tennis balls.
Quentin:
“Tennis balls?”
Visitor: “You bet.
A full box of the best. They’re
Dunlop Professional tennis balls, especially created for performance and
durability. You’ll love ‘em.”
“I – I guess I’m a bit confused. My meeting today was with your CEO.”
“Well hey, you understand, the guy’s a very busy
man. He’s always juggling three or four
deals around. I’m his personal assistant
and he wanted me to convey his warm and fuzzy best wishes to you and, most
important, to discuss your reaction to his idea of a possible merger.”
“And your name..?”
“Just call me Phil.”
“Ok Phil, let’s see if I understand. I set up a meeting to discuss your CEO’s idea
of a possible merger of our two corporations – it was his idea - but he’s too
busy; he sends his personal assistant.”
“I assure you I’m fully qualified…”
“And he also sends me a gift, a box of tennis balls
– something you might give a high-school kid.”
“I see you’re getting a bit upset.”
“Upset? Well,
you see, on a subject as important as a possible merger of two corporations, I
can meet only with another CEO, not a personal assistant.”
“I’ll report back to him that…”
“Yes, report to him that I enjoy the game we’re
playing. Tell him I’m just an adolescent he
doesn’t have to take seriously. But here's my ultimatum: tell him I’ve got a terrific forehand and an even more powerful destructive backhand. And tell him that his serve - the idea of a
merger of our two firms - has gone straight into the net!”
By
the way, the tennis balls were not my idea.
Shakespeare wrote a scene about tennis balls; it’s an important part of
this play.
(Also
submitted to Sunday Scribblings)
42 comments:
Thank you Berowne! This just happens - rightly or wrongly - to be my favourite Shakespeare play about my favourite English King: Henry the Fifth. Don't say me nay, or I'll "Lay on like a butcher!"
Greetings to Altonian, the first to come up with the right answer. Who's next?
Aha...his balls hath turned to gunstones :)
Rallentanda
Henry V - if i am right i confess i cheated because you gave a few clues! ;)
Berowne, Henry V, I would think
Hank
We now have quite a collection of right answers - from kaykuala, jaerose, Rallentanda and Tess K. Keep 'em coming!
Henry Vth
Bee's Blog is also with us; another right answer.
Henry V. But which Part? I'll guess Part II because there's so much that has to be gotten out of the way in Part I.
Henry V ? Cheers Berowne have a grand day!
Kathe W and naturgesetz have also coughed up the right answer.
That would be our young Henry who was not liked by the Dauphin. Those French noblemen always were raqueteers.
I am thinking it's Henry V?
This can only be "Henry V" getting a gift of tennis balls.
Henry the Fifth? That's the one I remember both Olivier and Branagh doing.
Four more have stepped into the winners' circle by providing us with the correct answer: Sharp Little Pencil, oldegg, Josie Two Shoes and DCW. Who's next?
I don't have an answer. I just wanted to say I enjoyed it especially the last para.
Tennis balls..aha! Henry V..saw both movies, plus once in Central Park, maybe Kevin Kline??
Lyn has joined us, and once again provides us with the correct answer.
I don't have the intelligence to play mind games with anybody but Caddoc!
Got this from the Olivier/Branaugh reference right off: Hank 5. I mean Henry V
Henry V
Two more have given us the right answer: Sheilagh Lee snd Roger Owen Green - congrats, both.
Henry V?
My answer is..... Henry V
Well, look at that long list of smart folks. I'm not one, so I'll just say I enjoyed the tale and I'll stop back to see what the 'firsters' knew.
Karen S and Frankie Jay have also given us the right answer.
Hamlet or Henry V, Kate ABC Team
Such a pleasure to read this....
Beautiful!!!
I would rather pick the clouds
Kate is another with the correct answer.
Shakespeare Henry V?
King Rob Starc , i believe the play was called " Game of Thrones". Cheers Bero '
Hildred has just joined our few,our happy few, with the right answer.
Tennis balls is associated with King Henry V I think.. quite an interesting puzzle :)
PhenoMeon
ABCW Team
The latest with the right answer: PhenoMenon.
I do enjoy these each week :)
Who am I to Quibble?? ;-)
Will try this one - Henry V??
enjoyed reading this today
Lady in Read has just checked in with the correct answer.
Henry V. I know this only after having googled the actors' names to determine the role, and your comment about tennis balls led me to youtube where I watched Branagh's portrayal of the speech. Again, thank you for teaching here. I realize I must read this come summer.
I have no idea lol.
Quaint
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team
you certainly have fun with these!
thanks for visiting !
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