Every Man in His Humour MCQs

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Author: Nasir Iqbal | Assistant Professor of English Literature

Every Man in His Humour mcqs
Updated on: November 5, 2025
Estimated Reading Time: 17 min

Every Man in His Humour MCQs

1. What course of study does Lorenzo Senior worry that his son Lorenzo Junior affects?

A. Idle Poetry
B. Military tactics
C. Academies’ reports
D. Practical business

A. Idle Poetry.
Lorenzo Senior wishes to withdraw his son from the vanity of idle poetry, which he himself once pursued.

2. What does Lorenzo Senior admit he was once “fed with” as a student?

A. Sovereign use of study
B. Self-same humour
C. Experience and reason
D. Double-tongued report

B. Self-same humour.
He confesses that he was once consumed by the same humour as his son, “Dreaming on nought but idle ‘Poetry'”.

3. What specific book does Stephano want to borrow from Lorenzo Senior?

A. Sciences of Hawking
B. Sovereign use of study
C. Liberal voice of the report
D. Gentlemen’s company

A. The science of Hawking.
Stephano requests a book on hawking and hunting so he can practice for the next year.

4. How does Lorenzo Senior primarily label Stephano during their conversation?

A. Worthy nephew
B. Goodly friend
C. Prodigal, self-willed fool
D. Expert huntsman

C. Prodigal, self-willed fool.
Lorenzo Senior calls Stephano this while criticising him for wasting money on a hawk (a buzzard).
5. What advice does Lorenzo Senior metaphorically give Stephano regarding managing expenses?

A. Stand not so much
B. Moderate your expenses
C. Bear a low sail
D. Pretend to make a blaze

C. Bear a low sail.
He uses this phrase to tell Stephano to moderate his expenses to maintain the same proportion.

6. Stephano boasts that his uncle owns how much land valued per year?

A. Hundred-pound land
B. Gentleman’s society
C. One thousand-pound land
D. Fair living of mine

C. One thousand pounds land.
Stephano reveals this detail to the Servant to establish his gentility and status as next heir.

7. What does Lorenzo Senior call Stephano after Stephano is rude to the Servant?

A. Whoreson, base fellow
B. Unseasoned rude comparative
C. Peremptory ass
D. Kinsman’s interest

C. Peremptory ass.
Lorenzo Senior uses this term, commanding Stephano to get inside due to his lack of respect.

8. Who does the Servant deliver the letter for?

A. Signior Thorello
B. Signior Prospero
C. Lorenzo di Pazzi Senior
D. Musco, the servant

B. Signior Prospero.
The Servant states that a gentleman of Florence, Signior Prospero, sent the letter.

9. Lorenzo Senior decides to read the letter primarily to judge its what?

A. Content and subject
B. Style and phrase
C. Poet Nuntius quality
D. Truth and honesty

B. Style and phrase.
He decides to read the letter, presuming the style and phrase are excellent and varied from the vulgar form.
10. In Prospero’s letter, what classical figure is mentioned as having potentially gotten Lorenzo Junior?

A. St. Peter
B. Charles’ wain
C. Apollo
D. Hall-Beadle

C. Apollo.
Prospero writes, “‘Sblood, I doubt, Apollo hath got thee to be his Ingle”.

11. What crime does Lorenzo Senior accuse Prospero’s letter of committing against the paper?

A. Profane pen
B. Black and criminal inscription
C. Open trade of scorn
D. Defiled and stained

B. Black and criminal inscription.
Lorenzo Senior notes the paper looks pale for grief, defiled and stained with a “black and criminal inscription”.

12. What action did Musco immediately confirm Lorenzo Senior took regarding the letter?

A. He opened it
B. He burned it
C. He grew pleased
D. He wrote a reply

A. He opened it.
Musco confirms Lorenzo Senior opened and read the contents, basing this on the charge not to reveal the action.

13. Stephano’s jet ring from Marina had what inscription (poesie)?

A. I’ll be judged
B. The deeper the sweeter
C. Though fancy sleep
D. My love is deep

C. Though fancy sleep.
The inscription was: “Though fancy sleep, my love is deep,” meaning she loved him though he did not fancy her.

14. Stephano explains he used “Saint Peter” in his answering poem to do what?

A. Honour the host
B. Make up the metre
C. Judge his rapier
D. Swear an oath

B. Make up the metre.
When Lorenzo Junior asks why Saint Peter was included, Stephano answers, “St. Peter to make up the metre”.
15. As the disguised soldier, Musco claims he followed the fortunes of the best Commanders for how long?

A. Fourteen years
B. Three years
C. Five days
D. Half an hour

A. Fourteen years.
Musco states he has been a poor servitor by sea and land for “this xiiij. years”.

16. What kind of rapier does Musco claim to be selling to Stephano?

A. Pure Toledo
B. Velvet scabbard
C. Spaniard’s sword
D. Buzzard

A. Pure Toledo.
Musco assures Stephano that the blade is a “most pure Toledo”.

17. Lorenzo Junior jokes that his father often takes physic, making him what type of person?

A. Very patient creature
B. Swaggering Epistle
C. Melancholy rogue
D. Wise cousin

A. Very patient creature.
He satirically notes that often taking physic makes a man “a very patient creature”.

18. What does Lorenzo Junior call Stephano, planning to use him for entertainment?

A. One Gull more
B. Admirable work
C. Most dear friend
D. Prodigal heir

A. One Gull more.
Lorenzo Junior intends to furnish his “feast with one Gull more” in Stephano’s addition.

19. Cob traces his ancient, princely lineage back to what specific item?

A. First broiled the Cob
B. Adam and Eve’s kitchen
C. The Green Lattice
D. Herring, the king

B. Adam and Eve’s kitchen.
Cob states he fetches his pedigree from “the first red herring that was eaten in Adam and Eve’s kitchen”.
20. What is Cob’s guest, Signior Bobadilla, often found doing at Thorello’s house?

A. Dealing with water
B. Flouting gallants
C. Reading rascally verses
D. Swearing dainty oaths

C. Reading rascally verses.
Cob describes Matheo reading “abominable, vile… rascally verses, Poetry” at Thorello’s house.

21. Bobadilla tells Matheo that Giuliano has no more judgment than what animal?

A. A smith
B. A malt-horse
C. A gentleman
D. A hangman

B. A malt-horse.
Bobadilla dismisses Giuliano as an absurd clown with no judgment, comparing him to a malt-horse.

22. What practice does Bobadilla assure Matheo is acceptable only to “peculiar and choice spirits”?

A. Lodge in a base place
B. Be so popular
C. Extend thus far
D. Being honest

C. Extend thus far.
Bobadilla is explaining that he only allows certain chosen friends, like Matheo, to know his lodging.

23. Which classical figure does Matheo use a quote from, as Bobadilla notes?

A. Jupiter
B. Phoebus
C. Hercules
D. Caesar

A. Jupiter.
Matheo says, “‘quos aequus amavit Jupiter'” in response to Prospero.

24. What comparison does Prospero make for Stephano (the fool) that others play upon?

A. Barber’s virginals
B. Ostrich stomach
C. Hall-Beadle
D. True judgment’s eye

A. Barber’s virginals.
Prospero notes that Stephano is a fool who can be played upon by everyone, like a barber’s virginals.
25. What is Musco’s false name while disguised as a soldier?

A. Prospero
B. Cob
C. Portensio
D. Peto

C. Portensio.
When Lorenzo Senior asks his name, Musco replies: “Please, you: Portensio”.

26. What does Lorenzo Senior suggest feeds men of Musco’s “condition”?

A. Sloth
B. Noblemen’s use
C. Extemporaries
D. The king of heaven

A. Sloth.
Lorenzo Senior asserts that men of Musco’s quality feed on sloth, comparing them to a Scarab.

27. What location does Musco inform Lorenzo Senior that he heard Lorenzo Junior plans to meet a citizen’s wife?

A. The Mermaid
B. Prospero’s house
C. Cob’s house
D. Doctor Clement’s

C. Cob’s house.
Musco tells Lorenzo Senior that Lorenzo Junior appointed a meeting at Cob’s water-bearer house.

28. Before revealing his plan, Musco states he must acquire the true garb of what type of soldier?

A. Lance-knights
B. Servitor
C. Commanders
D. Ruffian

A. Lance-knights.
Musco says he must practice to get the true garb of one of these specific types of soldiers.

29. What is Signior Thorello’s profession or status indicated by the context of his business with Piso?

A. Soldier
B. Merchant
C. Scholar
D. Doctor

B. Merchant.
Thorello handles Spanish gold, discusses wares delivery, and receipts (as with Platano), suggesting he is a merchant.
30. Thorello fears giving “fleering opportunity” scope in his house during his two hours of absence for what reason?

A. Loss of business
B. Financial ruin
C. Fear of cuckoldry
D. Argument with Prospero

C. Fear of cuckoldry.
He fears that his absence will allow his wife to stray, leading him to be a cuckold.

31. To what does Thorello compare his brain when trying to resolve his anxieties?

A. An hourglass
B. An iron bar
C. Beauty’s golden tree
D. A jealous brain

A. An hourglass.
He says his brain is like an hourglass and his imagination runs dribbling forth like sand.

32. What item must Piso search the books for before Thorello returns?

A. Receipts ‘twixt me
B. Spanish gold
C. The gentleman’s letter
D. Doctor Clement’s warrant

A. Receipts ‘twixt me.
Thorello asks Piso to search the books for “the receipts ‘twixt me and Platano”.

33. Cob is angry about fasting days because they are enemies to his what?

A. Trade and commerce
B. Lineage/generation
C. Honest labour
D. Old friends

B. Lineage/generation.
Cob, descended from the red herring, is angry because fasting days cause his “lineage goes to rack”.

34. How does Piso define “humour” (as generally received in those days)?

A. A mighty great Cob
B. A rash affliction
C. A monster bred by self-love
D. A goodly day toward

C. A monster bred by self-love.
He defines it as a monster bred by self-love and affectation, and fed by folly.
35. The gentleman Musco meets in Act II, Scene I offers to buy him wine to hear discourse on what topic?

A. Manner of your services
B. The old hackney pace
C. Academy reports
D. Shove-groat shilling

A. Manner of your services.
Peto (Doctor Clement’s man) offers wine to hear about Musco’s services and devices in the wars.

36. Bobadilla claims that he and other gentlemen survived twenty-one weeks in the Indies, consuming only what substance?

A. Small beer
B. Poisonous simple
C. Trinidado tobacco
D. Water and wine

C. Trinidado tobacco.
Bobadilla claims the substance is divine and can act as an antidote to poison.

37. Cob claims that how many people died in one house last week from taking tobacco?

A. Two more
B. Seven pounds
C. Four died
D. Twenty score

C. Four died.
Cob argues tobacco is dangerous, stating four people died in one house last week from taking it.

38. What does Lorenzo Junior say Matheo utters, comparing him to a broker?

A. Stolen remnants
B. Perfect fine wit
C. Admirable poetry
D. Filthy, roguish tobacco

A. Stolen remnants.
Lorenzo Junior accuses Matheo of being a “filching rogue” who utters nothing but stolen remnants of poetry.

39. What does Prospero suggest Hesperida give Matheo in conscience for the copied verses?

A. A shilling
B. A teston
C. A gold jewel
D. A simple servant

A. A shilling.
Prospero jokes she should give him a shilling, as the book cost Matheo a teston at least.
40. How does Giuliano threaten Matheo, calling him a ballad-singer?

A. Beat him soundly
B. Cut off your ears
C. Draw his weapon
D. Pink thy flesh

B. Cut off your ears.
Giuliano tells Matheo to get out, “or (by the will of God) I’ll cut off your ears”.

41. What physical ailment does Thorello immediately complain of after Prospero’s joke about poison?

A. My head aches
B. Burn, I burn
C. Sick at heart
D. All of the above

D. All of the above.
Thorello feels sick at heart, burns, and needs mithridate and oil because of the poisoning suggestion.

42. Whose apparel does Musco steal to deliver his message to Thorello?

A. Cob’s wife’s
B. Doctor’s man
C. Signior Prospero’s
D. Giuliano’s

B. Doctor’s man.
Musco gets Peto drunk, strips him naked, and borrows his suit to deliver a counterfeit message.

43. What does Musco leave behind to “watch” the naked Doctor’s man (Peto)?

A. Rapier and boots
B. Rusty armour/brown bill
C. Silk stockings
D. Packthread

B. Rusty armour/brown bill.
Musco leaves Peto asleep, borrows his clothes, and leaves “a rusty armour and an old brown bill to watch him”.

44. Thorello fears Biancha will praise her gallant’s leg, or foot, or bid him feel her hand, calling this what kind of thing?

A. Amorous toy
B. Monstrous thing
C. Stale jest
D. Close walk

B. Monstrous thing.
Thorello instructs Piso to watch for these acts, especially the hand-holding, calling it a “monstrous thing”.
45. Thorello rushes off to Cob’s house in Act IV, fearing Biancha is doing what there?

A. Buying tobacco
B. Gone abroad with Piso
C. Gone a purpose to cuckold me
D. Searching for Lorenzo Jr.

C. Gone a purpose to cuckold me.
Thorello suspects Prospero told Biancha about the meeting so she could commit infidelity with Cob.

46. What specific part of Bobadilla’s clothing does Matheo suggest he pawn for the warrant money?

A. His silk stockings
B. His rich cloak
C. His fine sword
D. His new boots

A. His silk stockings.
Since they had no cash, Matheo suggests pawning his ear jewel and Bobadilla’s silk stockings.

47. What object does a city varlet’s diminutive mace resemble?

A. Young artichoke
B. A black beard
C. A brass varnish
D. A short sword

A. Young artichoke.
Musco (in his varlet disguise) describes the diminutive mace as being “made like a young artichoke”.

48. Why does Musco arrest Stephano (as the varlet)?

A. For swearing oaths
B. He wears Giuliano’s cloak
C. For being a fool
D. Assaulting a soldier

B. He wears Giuliano’s cloak.
Giuliano demands his cloak back, and when Stephano refuses, Giuliano pays the varlet to arrest Stephano.

49. What punishment does Doctor Clement inflict on Musco when disguised as the varlet?

A. Sent him to jail
B. Beat him with a sword
C. Threatened to cut his limbs
D. Paid him a fee

C. Threatened to cut his limbs.
Clement theatrically threatens to cut off Musco’s legs, ears, nose, and head to mock his “must arrest” claim.
50. Lorenzo Junior defends true poetry by saying it should be crowned with the traditions of a soul that hates to have its dignity profaned with what?

A. Any relish of an earthly thought
B. Gross opinion
C. Stolen remnants
D. Majesty of art

A. Any relish of an earthly thought.
He argues true poetry, seen in the “majesty of art,” must not be profaned by earthly thoughts.

Brief Overview

Every Man in His Humour is a satirical play by Ben Jonson, first performed in 1598, that helped popularise the “comedy of humours” genre. It provides a humorous and critical portrayal of various social types and follies in contemporary London society.

The play centres on conflicts in Florence, Italy. Lorenzo Senior worries that his son, Lorenzo Junior, wastes time on idle poetry and wild friends. Lor. Ju. and his friend, Prospero, plot to trick Lor. Se. into allowing Lor. Ju. to go to Florence.

Their plots involve the jealous merchant, Thorello, who fears his wife, Biancha, and sister, Hesperida, might be corrupted by Prospero’s rowdy associates. These friends include Bobadilla, a cowardly and boastful soldier, and Matheo, a fool who writes bad, stolen poems.

Musco, Lor. Se.’s servant secretly works for Lor. Ju.. Musco disguises himself as a soldier and cheats others, sending Lor. Se. and Thorello on false chases. Thorello’s brother-in-law, Giuliano, publicly beats the cowardly Bobadilla.

Eventually, all main characters are brought before Doctor Clement, the magistrate. Musco confesses all his tricks. Clement resolves the conflicts by making the jealous Thorello trust his wife and confirming Lor. Ju. and Hesperida’s marriage. Clement then makes a dramatic show of burning Matheo’s foolish poetry.

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