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Junior Cycle English: Shakespearean drama

How often Shakespearean drama comes up on the English papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 7 of the last 8 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. most years

Shakespearean drama, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Shakespearean drama.

(a)In 'Julius Caesar', what does the Soothsayer warn Caesar to beware of?
  1. The dogs of war
  2. The ides of March
  3. The Feast of Lupercal
(b)In 'The Merchant of Venice', what does Shylock demand if Antonio cannot repay the loan?
  1. Antonio's house in Venice
  2. Antonio's fleet of merchant ships
  3. A pound of Antonio's flesh
(c)In 'As You Like It', what name does Rosalind use while disguised as a young man?
  1. Ganymede
  2. Balthazar
  3. Aliena
Show the answers

(a) The ides of March

(b) A pound of Antonio's flesh

(c) Ganymede

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Shakespearean drama.

Higher Level

Asked on 7 of the last 8 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Q5, Q6
2025Q4, Q5
2024Q1, Q3
2023Q6, Q7
2022Not asked
2019Q8
2018Q8
2017Q5, Q6, Q7, Q8, Q9

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Shakespearean drama questions

Shakespearean drama, 3 marks

In Shakespeare, what does a rhyming couplet at the end of a scene usually do?

  1. Introduces a new character
  2. Shows a character is lying
  3. Signals the scene is ending
Show the answer

Signals the scene is ending

Two rhyming lines round off a scene with a clear, memorable sound, like a full stop. At the Globe, which had no front curtain, this helped mark the end of a scene.

Shakespearean drama, 3 marks

In 'Julius Caesar', Caesar's words 'Et tu, Brute?' show his shock at what?

  1. Calpurnia's terrible dream
  2. His friend Brutus stabbing him
  3. Being refused the crown
Show the answer

His friend Brutus stabbing him

Even you, Brutus? Caesar is stunned that his trusted friend has joined the conspirators, and stops resisting: Then fall, Caesar! It is the turning point of the play.

Shakespearean drama, 2 marks

In 'Julius Caesar', what does Calpurnia dream the night before the ides of March?

  1. Caesar's statue pouring blood
  2. Rome's walls collapsing in flame
  3. Brutus being crowned emperor
Show the answer

Caesar's statue pouring blood

Calpurnia begs Caesar to stay home, but Decius twists the dream into a good omen. Caesar's pride, and fear of looking weak, send him to the Senate and his death.

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