Quiz: Tamberlaine the Great

1.

Who is the title character of the play?

   **Tamberlaine**

2. What is Tamberlaine's occupation? 

   **Conqueror**

3. Where does the play take place?

   **Asia and Eastern Europe** 

4. What is Tamberlaine's ultimate goal?

   **To become the ruler of the world**

5. Who does Tamberlaine first defeat in battle?

   **Bajazeth, the Turkish Sultan**

6. What does Tamberlaine do with Bajazeth after defeating him?

   **He keeps Bajazeth in an iron cage**

7. Who does Tamberlaine marry?

   **Zenocrate**

8. What is Zenocrate's nationality?

   **Greek**

9. What fate befalls Zenocrate?

   **She dies** 

10. Who does Tamberlaine view as one of his greatest enemies?

   **The Ottoman Emperor**

11. What is the name of Tamberlaine's son?  

   **Mamillius**

12. During one of his campaigns, what city does Tamberlaine lay siege to?

   **Babylon**

13. What do Tamberlaine's soldiers do that horrifies a Captain? 

   **They boil and eat the flesh of dead horses**

14. What is one quality that allows Tamberlaine to become a great conqueror?

   **His intelligence and skills in war strategy**

15. Who writes to Tamberlaine, calling him a 'foul bloudy man'?

   **The Governor of Babylon** 

16. How does Tamberlaine respond to the letter from the Governor?

   **He is enraged and vows to take the city**

17. What does Tamberlaine do with the Governor after capturing Babylon?

   **He has the Governor hanged**

18. During which century did Tamberlaine live?

   **14th century**

19. In what language was the play written?

   **English**

20. Who was the playwright who wrote Tamberlaine?

   **Christopher Marlowe**

21. What type of play is Tamberlaine?

   **A dramatized biography or history play**

22. What is one motif that Marlowe explores in the play?

   **The relentless progress of a conqueror** 

23. Besides a conqueror, what other occupation does Tamberlaine portray himself as?

   **A scourge sent by God**

24. What fault does Tamberlaine find with native Asian rulers?

   **Their softness and luxury**

25. Why does Tamberlaine refuse to pay taxes to the Soldan of Egypt?

   **He believes no man should pay taxes to another**

26. What is the name of Tamberlaine's general?

   **Theridamas** 

27. How does Theridamas feel about Tamberlaine's brutal tactics?

   **He is uncomfortable with their cruelty but remains loyal**

28. What is one notable quality about Tamberlaine's style of speech?

   **It is elaborate, poetic and intellectual**

29. What reasoning does Tamberlaine give for his bloody conquests?

   **He believes it is his destiny to rule the world** 

30. Which of his victories does Tamberlaine consider his greatest?

   **Defeating Bajazeth**

31. How does Tamberlaine keep defeated leaders like Bajazeth subjugated? 

   **By keeping them as captives and humiliating them**

32. Which location does Tamberlaine use as his base of operations?

   **Scythia**

33. Which historical figure is sometimes considered a inspiration for Tamberlaine?

   **Ghengis Khan**

34. Which passage best encapsulates Tamberlaine's vision and ambition?

   **His "I am in blood stepp'd in so far..." speech**

35. Which techniques does Marlowe use to develop Tamberlaine as a compelling villain?

   **Elaborate language, military cunning, unflinching resolve**

36. How physically does Tamberlaine describe himself?

   **As misshapen and deformed** 

37. Which specific deformities does Tamberlaine list about himself?

   **A short arm and thighs/legs of unequal length**

38. Why does Tamberlaine dwell on his physical imperfections?

   **To emphasize that his success stems from inner qualities, not outer beauty**

39. Which philosopher's works deeply influenced Marlowe?

   **Niccolò Machiavelli**

40. In what way does Marlowe's play echo Machiavelli's perspective on leadership?

   **It Glorifies a leader's ability to achieve goals through cunning and force regardless of morality.**

41. According to Tamberlaine, what is "the chiefest virtue"?

   **Valour**

42. What does Tamberlaine vow to do after conquering all of Asia? 

   **Invade Europe**

43. Which Biblical figure does Tamberlaine liken himself to?

   **God sending plagues upon Egypt** 

44. At the play's end, what is Tamberlaine's status?

   **He has become ruler of a vast empire stretching from Europe to Asia** 

45. Which elements of the play would have appealed to English national pride at the time?

   **Its Christianization of a non-European conqueror figure**

46. What controversial moral implications arise from viewing Tamberlaine merely as a vehicle for English aspirations?

   **It glorifies violence, tyranny, disregard for innocent lives lost in his conquests.**

47. Which famous British statesman saw in Tamberlaine a role model of sorts?

   **Oliver Cromwell** 

48. What was especially daring and groundbreaking about Marlowe's play?

   **Its focus on a non-Christian conqueror as protagonist hero went against conventions.**

49. Which specific historical events inform the play's setting and plot?

   **The actual campaigns and conquests of Timur throughout Asia and Eastern Europe from 1370-1405**

50. In which year was Tamberlaine the Great first performed?

   **1587-1588**

51. Who would have played the lead role of Tamberlaine in the original production?

   **Edward Alleyn, a famous actor of the day**

52. Who does Tamberlaine defeat and kill in the opening scene of the play?

   **The King of Natolia**

53. From which region does Tamberlaine originally hail?  

   **Scythia**

54. What quality in particular allows Tamberlaine to succeed where others failed?

   **His unstoppable resolve and ambition**

55. What physical traits does Tamberlaine use to inspire fear?

   **His terrifying war cries and bloody attire**

56. Why does Tamberlaine refuse to show mercy to his opponents?

   **He believes it will make him appear weak**

57. Which civilization does Tamberlaine repeatedly conquer?

   **The Ottoman Empire**

58. In Act 1, how does the King of Natolia react to Tamberlaine's advance?

   **He sues for peace but Tamberlaine refuses and kills him**

59. Where is Bajazeth being held at the start of Act 2?

   **In an iron cage**

60. Why doesn't Theridamas feel pride in Tamberlaine's victories?

   **Because of the destruction and cruelty they cause** 

61. Whose daughter does Tamberlaine wish to marry?

   **Zenocrate, daughter of the Soldan of Egypt**

62. How does Tamberlaine threaten the Soldan when he refuses the marriage?

   **With renewed war and conquest**

63. Why does Tamberlaine admire Zenocrate?

   **For her fairness, wisdom and gentility** 

64. Where is Babylon located?

   **In modern-day Iraq**

65. Which governor does Tamberlaine write to, demanding Babylon's surrender? 

   **The Governor of Babylon, who insults him in reply**

66. What methods does Tamberlaine use to defeat Babylon?

   **Siege weapons and brutal force**

67. What does Tamberlaine do with the Governor after capturing the city?

   **He has the Governor hanged** 

68. How does the death of Zenocrate affect Tamberlaine?

   **He is deeply grieved and vows to no longer love again**

69. At the end of Act 4, who represents Tamberlaine's greatest obstacle? 

   **Bajazeth's son** 

70. What proposal does Bajazeth make, hoping to turn Tamberlaine's son against him?

   **To have Mamillius marry his daughter**

71. Why is Tamberlaine enraged by this proposal?

   **He sees it as a threat to the future of his dynasty** 

72. How does Tamberlaine react to the proposal?

   **He has Bajazeth and his children murdered**

73. In Act 5, which Tamberlaine consider his highest achievement?

   **Conquering Asia**

74. What does Tamberlaine instruct his son Mamillius to do once he has conquered all of Asia?

   **To lead armies into Europe**

75. How does Tamberlaine justify his bloody conquests to his followers?

   **He claims they are doing God's work by punishing evil rulers**

76. What technique does Tamberlaine use to keep defeated kings alive but subservient?

   **He imprisons them in cages**

77. What is Bajazeth's role and state at the beginning of the play?

   **He is Tamberlaine's prisoner, kept in an iron cage**

78. What does Bajazeth constantly beg Tamberlaine for?  

   **A quick death to end his torment**

79. Who does Tamberlaine force to pull Bajazeth's cage?

   **Captured Ottoman royal horses** 

80. Why is Tamberlaine frustrated by Bajazeth's persistent cries for help?

   **It distracts him from his goal of further conquest**

81. Which new lands has Tamberlaine recently conquered off-stage?

   **Turkey and Syria**

82. Which notorious antagonist does Tamberlaine vow to also defeat?  

   **Timur**

83. What does Tamberlaine's elaborate speech patterns reveal about his nature?

   **His intelligence, pride and zeal for expansion**

84. Which brutal act committed by Tamberlaine's soldiers deeply upsets a Captain?

   **Their cannibalism of dead horses** 

85. How does Tamberlaine respond to the Captain's objection to this act?

   **He claims necessity justifies any means during war**

86. Which city does Tamberlaine lay siege to in Act 3?

   **Babylon** 

87. Who does Tamberlaine install as clients kings in conquered lands? 

   **Spies and informants who report to him**

88. Which methods does Tamberlaine use to finally overcome Babylon's walls?

   ** bombardment from siege weapons and scaling ladders**

89. What does Tamberlaine do with Babylon's governor after capturing the city?

   **He has the governor hanged**

90. How does Tamberlaine react to the death of his wife Zenocrate?

   **He vows to never love or remarry again**

91. Who does Tamberlaine identify as his last great obstacle?

   **The sons and descendents of those he has conquered** 

92. Why does Bajazeth's proposal of an alliance threaten Tamberlaine?

   **It could undermine his power and legacy**

93. How does Tamberlaine punish Bajazeth for this transgression?

   **He has Bajazeth and his sons killed**

94. What instructions does Tamberlaine give his son at the end of the play?

   **To lead his armies into Europe after his death**

95. Which speeches best exemplify Tamberlaine's ruthless ambition?

   **"I am in blood stepped in so far..." and "Youn kings, I am too high to be honored..."**

96. Which historical leader's conquests may have influenced Marlowe?

   **Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire**

97. Where would the original performances have taken place?

   **The Rose Theatre in London**

98. Which famous playwright was an influence on Marlowe?

   **William Shakespeare**

99. How would audiences at the time have viewed Tamberlaine?

   **As a noble, fascinating yet dangerous figure**

100. What enduring legacy has Tamberlaine left on English literature?

   **It established new conventions for dramatic representation on the Elizabethan stage.**