Famous Playwrights
1 / 15From Shakespeare to Arthur Miller, how well do you know the masters of the stage?
15 quick questionsNo sign-upFree to playTap an answer below to begin ↓
Which playwright wrote 'Death of a Salesman' and 'The Crucible'?
About Famous Playwrights
Give your memory a workout with Famous Playwrights: 15 multiple-choice questions with a mix of 8 medium, 4 easy, 3 hard questions, free to play right in your browser. From Shakespeare to Arthur Miller, how well do you know the masters of the stage? Expect to spend about 7 minutes; every question comes with an explanation, so you learn something even when you miss.
A few sample questions
1. Which playwright wrote 'Death of a Salesman' and 'The Crucible'?
Answer: Arthur Miller
Arthur Miller wrote 'Death of a Salesman' (1949) and 'The Crucible' (1953). He is considered one of the greatest American playwrights of the 20th century.
2. Tennessee Williams is best known for which play about a faded Southern belle?
Answer: A Streetcar Named Desire
'A Streetcar Named Desire' (1947) tells the story of Blanche DuBois, who arrives at her sister's home in New Orleans. The original Broadway production starred Marlon Brando as Stanley Kowalski.
3. How many plays are attributed to William Shakespeare?
Answer: About 37
Shakespeare wrote approximately 37 plays (the exact number is debated), along with 154 sonnets and several longer poems. His works span comedies, tragedies, and histories.
4. Which Norwegian playwright wrote 'A Doll's House' and 'Hedda Gabler'?
Answer: Henrik Ibsen
Henrik Ibsen is often called the 'father of modern drama.' 'A Doll's House' (1879) shocked audiences with its portrayal of a woman leaving her husband and children to find herself.
5. Which Russian playwright wrote 'The Cherry Orchard' and 'Three Sisters'?
Answer: Anton Chekhov
Anton Chekhov revolutionized theater with his subtle, psychologically rich dramas. 'The Cherry Orchard' (1904) explores the decline of the Russian aristocracy and was his final play.
Things you'll learn along the way
- Samuel Beckett wrote 'Waiting for Godot' in French, first performed in 1953. The play depicts two men waiting endlessly for someone named Godot who never arrives, and is considered a masterpiece of the Theater of the Absurd.
- Sophocles (c. 496-406 BC) wrote over 120 plays, of which only seven survive complete. 'Oedipus Rex' is often cited as the perfect example of Greek tragedy.
- 'The Importance of Being Earnest' (1895) is a farcical comedy in which two men each pretend to be named Ernest to win the affections of two women. It is considered Wilde's masterpiece.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Famous Playwrights take?
Most players finish Famous Playwrights in about 7 minutes. You can pause between questions, replay it as often as you like, and there is no penalty for taking your time — answers are explained after you submit them.
What's a good follow-up after Famous Playwrights?
If you enjoyed this general knowledge quiz, try the Daily Challenge — five rotating questions, refreshed every 24 hours, that count toward your streak. You can also use the Surprise Me button on the homepage to land on a different game type for variety.
Can I print Famous Playwrights?
Yes — use the Print button at the top of the page for a clean question sheet, or "Print with Answers" to make an answer key. Printed sheets work well for group play at home, in a classroom, or at a senior center.
Will I lose my progress if I close the page?
Your overall progress — XP, streaks, and badges — is saved in your browser automatically. A quiz that's underway restarts if you leave mid-game, but at about 7 minutes, Famous Playwrights fits comfortably in one sitting.
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