A Mad World, My Masters MCQs

Author's Photo
Have a specific topic you'd like me to cover? Feel free to contact me with your suggestions.
Author: Nasir Iqbal | Assistant Professor of English Literature


Updated on: November 18, 2025
Estimated Reading Time: 16 min

A Mad World, My Masters MCQs

1. Where do the initial events of the play take place?

A. Soho, London
B. Queen’s, Oxford
C. Littledick, House
D. Shoreditch, Tavern

A. Soho, London.
The opening scene of the play, featuring Follywit and his cohorts, is set at The Flamingo Club, Soho.

2. What is the name of Dick Follywit’s wealthy uncle?

A. Sir Peersucker
B. Master Sponger
C. Lord Owemuch
D. Mr Littledick

A. Sir Peersucker.
Dick Follywit schemes to inherit or steal from his tremendously well-endowed uncle, Sir Bounteous Peersucker.

3. What does Sponger call Follywit, reflecting his degenerate lifestyle?

A. A rascal
B. Brains trust
C. Noble spark
D. Courtly form

A. A rascal.
Sponger insults Follywit as “A very rascal! A midnight surfeiter! The spume of a brothel-house!”.

4. Follywit claims his wicked transformation began due to his state of?

A. Poverty
B. Blasphemy
C. Wealth
D. Marriage

A. Poverty.
Follywit notes, “nothing conjures up wit sooner than poverty,” driving his descent into wickedness.
5. Sir Bounteous is most impressed when his guests include which status figures?

A. Stiff Lords
B. Bricklayers
C. City bankers
D. Grocers

A. Stiff Lords.
Sir Bounteous thinks himself happiest when some “stiff Lord or country Countess alights” at his open house.

6. What disguise does Follywit plan to use for his first trick on his uncle?

A. Italian suit
B. Nun’s habit
C. Rough costume
D. Jacobean garb

A. Italian suit.
Follywit plans to go down to his uncle disguised as a Lord, wearing an Italian suit and a thin moustache.

7. Penitent Brothel is retaining deadly follies in himself by lusting after whom?

A. Mrs Littledick
B. Truly Kidman
C. Magdalen Marbeck
D. Anne Harvey

A. Mrs Littledick.
Brothel admits to soothing “adulterous motions” for the wife of Mr. Littledick, his serious neighbor.

8. Who is constrained to use the pròstitute Truly Kidman to access Mrs. Littledick?

A. Penitent Brothel
B. Mr Littledick
C. Sir Peersucker
D. Master Spunky

A. Penitent Brothel.
Brothel uses Truly Kidman, admitted without suspicion by the husband, to corrupt Mrs. Littledick’s constant powers.

9. Truly Kidman’s mother serves what specific role for her daughter?

A. Her pimp
B. Moral tutor
C. Cook
D. Lady’s maid

A. Her pimp.
Truly Kidman reveals that her mother, Mrs. Kidman, is helping manage her affairs and is, essentially, her pimp.
10. What does Mrs. Kidman claim she has stitched and peddled fifteen times?

A. Virgin puss
B. Ruby jewel
C. Her portrait
D. Gold chain

A. Virgin puss.
Mrs. Kidman claims she has “stitched and peddled thy virgin puss” fifteen times to secure a marriage dowry.

11. Truly Kidman’s ‘keeper,’ who gave her a pearl necklace, is named?

A. Sir Bounteous
B. Mr Brothel
C. Master Spunky
D. Mr Littledick

A. Sir Bounteous.
Truly Kidman refers to Sir Bounteous Peersucker as her ‘keeper’ who provided her with a pearl necklace.

12. What specific object does Truly Kidman claim to read constantly to maintain her image?

A. Her bible
B. Health magazine
C. Wanton pamphlets
D. Old play

A. Her bible.
Mrs. Kidman tells the potential suitors that Truly has gone “To read her bible, sir,” claiming she is highly religious.

13. Mr. Littledick hires a private detective because he suspects a plot to rob his?

A. Wife’s chamber
B. Kitchen larder
C. Money safe
D. Study desk

A. Wife’s chamber.
Littledick suspects a villain, possibly Penitent Brothel, may “be slipped cunningly into my wife’s private chamber”.

14. Truly Kidman gains innocent access to Mrs. Littledick’s company in what disguise?

A. Dressed as a nun
B. Lord’s footman
C. Spanish Countess
D. London street girl

A. Dressed as a nun.
Truly Kidman, appearing as Sister Kidman, is admitted as Mrs Littledick’s “only company”.
15. What ‘wanton pamphlets’ did Mr Littledick take away from his wife?

A. Venus and Adonis
B. Revelation
C. The Phoenix
D. The Slip

A. Venus and Adonis.
Littledick mentions removing “Venus and Adonis” and her “Health and Efficiency magazine”.

16. Littledick asks Sister Kidman to read which specific chapter of the Bible to terrify his wife?

A. Revelation
B. Genesis
C. Job
D. Proverbs

A. Revelation.
He instructs her to read the chapter of hell from Revelation to terrify his wife regarding adultery.

17. What does Truly Kidman advise Mrs. Littledick to hide under her skirt?

A. Stirring pamphlet
B. Bible
C. Ruby jewel
D. Gold chain

A. Stirring pamphlet.
Truly advises reading a “stirring pamphlet” for pleasure and conveying it discreetly under her skirt.

18. Mr. Littledick believes that all sins are venial except for which one?

A. Venereal
B. Gluttony
C. Thievery
D. Lying

A. Venereal.
Littledick states, “All sins are venial but venereal,” emphasising that lechery is the damned arch-offence.

19. Oboe, disguised as a footman, tells Sir Bounteous his master is named what?

A. Lord Owemuch
B. Master Follywit
C. Sir Squodge
D. Mr Spunky

A. Lord Owemuch.
Oboe introduces Follywit’s new persona by asking if Sir Bounteous has heard of “My Lord Owemuch, Sir”.
20. Sir Bounteous reveals his safe mechanism is triggered by pulling the penis of which type of statue?

A. Greek statue
B. Roman emperor
C. English knight
D. Jacobean king

A. Greek statue.
Sir Bounteous shows Follywit how to reveal the safe by tugging on the penis of a Greek statue.

21. What happens when Sir Bounteous tries to shut the safe mechanism again?

A. Tweaks nipple
B. Kicks statue
C. Sings song
D. Calls Spunky

A. Tweaks nipple.
After revealing the safe, Sir Bounteous closes it by “tweaking the statue’s nipple”.

22. After the party, Follywit and his men are dressed in which specific clothing items?

A. Pyjamas, gowns
B. Italian suits
C. Jacobean garb
D. Nun’s habits

A. Pyjamas, gowns.
Follywit, Sponger, and Oboe are shown in their room wearing pyjamas and dressing gowns.

23. Truly Kidman is shown servicing which specific client in a separate scene?

A. Private Detective
B. Penitent Brothel
C. Mr Littledick
D. Sir Bounteous

A. Private Detective.
Truly Kidman finishes servicing the cheap Private Detective employed by Mr. Littledick.

24. Before the robbery, Follywit claims he is only “borrowing” the valuables until when?

A. Uncle dies
B. Plot succeeds
C. Marriage ends
D. Police arrive

A. Uncle dies.
Follywit justifies the robbery, claiming what he takes is “but a borrowing of so much beforehand” until his uncle dies.
25. Follywit knocks out which servant who discovers the robbery in progress?

A. Spunky
B. Oboe
C. Sponger
D. Ballbag

A. Spunky.
Spunky discovers the thieves, shouts, and is hit by Follywit and knocked unconscious.

26. When Sir Bounteous interrupts the robbery, the thieves claim to be from which region?

A. Northumberland
B. London
C. Soho
D. Pimlico

A. Northumberland.
Follywit adopts a thick Newcastle accent and claims they are “Of Northumberland, sir”.

27. Sir Bounteous praises the thieves from this region for robbing with what quality?

A. Conscience
B. Cheerfulness
C. Strength
D. Velocity

A. Conscience.
Sir Bounteous trusts them, stating they are “honestest thieves” and “will steal with tears in their eyes”.

28. Follywit suggests which character must escape being bound to report the robbery?

A. Lord Owemuch’s footman
B. Sir Bounteous
C. Master Spunky
D. Mrs Littledick

A. Lord Owemuch’s footman.
To establish the robbery’s credibility, Follywit decides “Lord Owemuch’s footman [Oboe] escape”.

29. Truly Kidman decides to use what affliction as the basis for her second cunning trick?

A. Violent sickness
B. Sudden death
C. Debt arrest
D. Marriage

A. Violent sickness.
Truly Kidman devises a plan to counterfeit a “fit of violent sickness” and take to her bed.
30. Truly Kidman claims a woman can easily feign illness, even catching cold from the wind of her?

A. Fans
B. Skirt
C. Bible
D. Perfume

A. Fans.
She boasts that women “can be sick when we have a mind to’t, catch cold with the wind of our fans”.

31. Truly Kidman informs Brothel to disguise himself as which professional role?

A. Physician
B. Butler
C. Constable
D. Justice

A. Physician.
Truly Kidman instructs Brothel to slip into the form of a physician for her sickness plot.

32. Why does Sir Bounteous believe Truly Kidman’s sudden illness might be his fault?

A. Got her with child
B. Gave her a clap
C. Stole her jewels
D. Used force

A. Got her with child.
Sir Bounteous proudly suggests, “Perhaps I have got thee with child i’faith?” confirming his paternity.

33. What specific food items does Brothel list as ingredients for his “precious cordial”?

A. Osso bucco
B. Steak tartare
C. Shepherd’s pie
D. Potted shrimp

A. Osso bucco.
As the physician, Brothel includes osso bucco, tortellini, and melanzane parmigiana in his fake remedies.

34. Truly Kidman drives away Minted and Prospect by calling for what specific item?

A. A bedpan
B. More gold
C. Her mother
D. A lawyer

A. A bedpan.
Truly uses the crude trick of calling for a bedpan and simulating defecation to clear the room for Mrs. Littledick.
35. Where does Mr. Littledick stand to eavesdrop on his wife’s conversation with Truly Kidman?

A. Room above
B. Garden below
C. Study next door
D. Hallway

A. Room above.
Mr. Littledick is listening through the floor of the room above the four-poster bed curtains.

36. Truly Kidman covers the noise of the lovers by inventing a discussion about her own what?

A. Pain
B. Virtue
C. Wealth
D. Mother

A. Pain.
Truly Kidman invents a lengthy discussion about her own “pain” and coldness to cover the sounds of the lovemaking.

37. Penitent Brothel is cured of his lust when he hallucinates Mrs. Littledick as a what?

A. Succubus
B. Nun
C. Witch
D. Courtesan

A. Succubus.
Brothel, overcome by guilt, sees a vision of a “she-devil” (Succubus) in Mrs. Littledick’s exact form.

38. What object does Brothel use to repel the apparition of the Succubus?

A. Fire extinguisher
B. Bible
C. Holy water
D. Whip

A. Fire extinguisher.
In his terror, Brothel grabs and discharges a “tiny domestic fire extinguisher” at the supposed devil.

39. Spunky tells Sir Bounteous that wearing a scarf used to be an emblem of what affliction?

A. The clap
B. Poverty
C. Ignorance
D. Madness

A. The clap.
Spunky mentions that a scarf on the head was formerly a sign of being “clap ridden”.
40. Follywit, disguised as the mistress, manages to steal what item from Spunky?

A. His chain
B. His wig
C. His watch
D. His money

A. His chain.
Follywit takes Spunky’s gold chain after teasing him about returning it the following day.

41. Follywit suggests his uncle should thank whom for the jewels he has just stolen?

A. His cockatrice
B. His father
C. Lord Owemuch
D. His tailor

A. His cockatrice.
Follywit says Sir Bounteous can “thank your cockatrice for this,” referring to Truly Kidman, the mistress.

42. What odour does Sir Bounteous notice on the disguised Follywit (mistress)?

A. Pudding
B. Rose nobles
C. Tobacco
D. Wasps

A. Pudding.
Sir Bounteous notes her breath smells of “wine, beer and tobacco” and “I smell much pudding onn’t”.

43. After his casket is stolen, Sir Bounteous decides he will dissemble the loss and host a what?

A. A masque
B. A wedding
C. A funeral
D. A trial

A. A masque.
Sir Bounteous decides to “dissemble it, and be Bounteous still” by hosting “A party! A masque! I’ll host a ball!”.

44. Brothel uses his encounter with the Succubus to advise Mrs Littledick to embrace whom?

A. Her husband
B. A new friend
C. Religion
D. Poverty

A. Her husband.
Brothel encourages her to “Embrace thy husband, and beside him none,” resolving his guilt.
45. Truly Kidman’s mother tells Follywit that her daughter brings a dowry of how much?

A. Three hundred pounds
B. Fifty pounds
C. One thousand marks
D. Two hundred pounds

A. Three hundred pounds.
Mrs. Kidman promises Follywit a dowry of “three hundred pound” with her daughter.

46. What specific items do Follywit and his men borrow from Sir Bounteous as “properties” for the play?

A. Chain, watch
B. Organs, snuffers
C. Money, clothes
D. Suit, perfume

A. Chain, watch.
Follywit requests Sir Bounteous’s gold chain, a jewel (ring), and his Swiss watch to use as stage props.

47. What is the title of the play Follywit and his men pretend to perform at the feast?

A. The Slip
B. Caesar’s Fall
C. The Phoenix
D. The Changeling

A. The Slip.
Follywit tells Sir Bounteous that the name of their witty comedy is “The Slip. We’ll be giving you The Slip”.

48. Follywit escapes the Constable by pretending to be which specific official?

A. A justice
B. A butler
C. A physician
D. A mayor

A. A justice.
Follywit improvises a role as an “unfortunate justice” who must free his arrested kin, binding the real Constable.

49. Follywit is ultimately discovered and brought in because of the sound of which stolen item?

A. The watch
B. The chain
C. The jewel
D. The music

A. The watch.
A tell-tale chiming sound reveals the Swiss watch in Follywit’s pocket, exposing the trick.
50. How many marks does Sir Bounteous give Follywit after the full deceit and marriage are revealed?

A. A thousand mark
B. Three hundred
C. Two hundred
D. Fifty mark

A. A thousand mark.
Sir Bounteous embraces the outcome by giving Follywit “a thousand mark,” validating the marriage and the trick.

Brief Overview

A Mad World, My Masters is a Jacobean city comedy play written by Thomas Middleton, first published in 1608. The play functions as a powerful critique of early modern London, focusing on themes of deceit, greed, and the deceptive nature of reputation, where social climbing is achieved through cunning.

The main plot involves Follywit, a young man desperately in need of money. He plots against his wealthy Uncle, Sir Bounteous Peersucker, hoping for his uncle to die soon so he can inherit the estate.

Follywit first disguises himself as the aristocratic “Lord Owemuch”. He stays at his uncle’s house, successfully robs his safe, and then binds himself to look like a victim of the robbery.

A secondary plot involves Penitent Brothel, Follywit’s friend, who intends to sleep with Mrs. Littledick. Her husband, Mr. Littledick, is highly jealous. Truly Kidman, who is secretly Sir Bounteous’s mistress, helps Brothel. She pretends to be sick, and Brothel visits her disguised as a doctor.

Mrs. Littledick visits the room, too. She and Brothel have sex while Mr. Littledick listens nearby, believing his wife is receiving moral advice. Brothel soon feels overwhelmed by guilt and tells Mrs. Littledick to be honest and virtuous.

Later, Follywit marries Truly Kidman. He believed she was a chaste, poor virgin. Follywit also tricks his uncle again, using a play called “The Slip” to steal a watch and a chain.

Sir Bounteous catches Follywit with the stolen items. Follywit confesses his many tricks. Sir Bounteous then reveals that Truly Kidman was his mistress.

Follywit realizes his own cunning failed against his uncle’s experience. Sir Bounteous ultimately forgives them both and gives them money.

5/5 - (1 vote)

Related Posts

Leave a comment

SpunkNotes

Typically replies within few hours

Hello, Welcome to the site. If you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact.