The Changeling MCQs

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Author: Nasir Iqbal | Assistant Professor of English Literature


Updated on: November 19, 2025
Estimated Reading Time: 17 min

The Changeling MCQs

1. Where did Alsemero first behold Beatrice?

A. At the temple
B. By the harbour
C. In the castle
D. Near Gibraltar

A. At the temple.
Alsemero first saw Beatrice in the holy temple, which he suggests blesses their interview and growing relationship.

2. Why is Alsemero suddenly delaying his sea journey to Malta?

A. Found a lady
B. Lost his ship
C. Needs more trunks
D. Fair wind failed

A. Found a lady.
Alsemero’s swift departure is paused because he has met Beatrice, making his “best judgment” contrary to sailing.

3. Who notes the changing weather vane and believes the wind is “against” Alsemero?

A. Alsemero, himself
B. Jasperino, friend
C. First servant
D. Second servant

A. Alsemero, himself.
Alsemero observed the temple’s vane turn directly in his face, believing the wind’s direction was against him.

4. What quality did Alsemero famously possess that Jasperino references?

A. The stoic
B. The scholar
C. The adventurer
D. The soldier

A. The stoic.
Jasperino notes that Alsemero was known to be a stoic, implying he was immune to the usual “snares of beauty”.
5. What compliment does Beatrice give Alsemero that suggests she is flirting immediately?

A. Sing at first
B. Skillful scholar
C. Weak lady
D. Sentinels’ judgment

A. Sing at first.
Beatrice suggests Alsemero is skilled in love, able to “sing at first sight” when he confesses his love.

6. Who is Beatrice intended to marry initially, a fact she seeks to ignore?

A. Piracquo, Alonzo
B. Alsemero, Lord
C. Deflores, Servant
D. Vermandero, Father

A. Piracquo, Alonzo.
Vermandero informs Beatrice that Alonzo de Piracquo is preparing for the triumph; she is to be a bride soon.

7. Who does Beatrice vehemently loathe and compare to a deadly poison?

A. Deflores, Servant
B. Jasperino, Friend
C. Lollio, Keeper
D. Alonzo, Suitor

A. Deflores, Servant.
Beatrice explicitly states Deflores is like a “deadly poison” or the mythical basilisk to her eyes.

8. Which specific body part of Deflores does Beatrice say she cannot abide the sight of?

A. My face
B. His hands
C. His stature
D. His hair

A. My face.
Deflores understands Beatrice hates him, proclaiming herself the “cruelest enemy to my face in town”.

9. What does Deflores retrieve for Beatrice that she throws away in utter scorn?

A. Her fallen glove
B. Her ruby ring
C. Her bible
D. Her lost purse

A. Her fallen glove.
Beatrice is enraged when Deflores retrieves her fallen glove, throwing the matching one away as an offense.
10. What is Deflores resolved to do regarding Beatrice, despite her intense hatred?

A. Haunt her still
B. Leave his service
C. Seek another
D. Plead marriage

A. Haunt her still.
Deflores vows to “haunt her still,” determined to please himself with her sight, even if it spites her.

11. What is Alibius’s profession?

A. Madmen’s doctor
B. Castle captain
C. Bricklayer
D. City grocer

A. Madmen’s doctor.
Alibius explicitly states, “I do profess the cure of either sort,” referring to fools and madmen, thriving by it.

12. What two “sorts of people” does Alibius keep in his house as patients?

A. Fools, madmen
B. Servants, masters
C. Wives, husbands
D. Lords, ladies

A. Fools, madmen.
Lollio explains that they only have “fools and madmen,” whom Alibius keeps under the power of the whip.

13. What is Alibius most worried his young wife, Isabella, will do during his absence?

A. Commit adultery
B. Run away
C. Spend money
D. Become a fool

A. Commit adultery.
Alibius is old and deeply fearful that the handsome gallants visiting his house will tempt his young wife Isabella.

14. Who is the clever, pragmatic servant entrusted to watch Isabella and govern the fools?

A. Lollio, Keeper
B. Jasperino, Friend
C. Antonio, Patient
D. Franciscus, Poet

A. Lollio, Keeper.
Alibius charges Lollio with watching Isabella’s “treadings” and supplying his place during his required absence.
15. According to Lollio’s profound schedule, what is “belly hour”?

A. Twelve o’clock
B. Seven o’clock
C. Nine o’clock
D. Six o’clock

A. Twelve o’clock.
Lollio explains his hourly schedule, designating twelve o’clock as the hour when they “go to dinner”.

16. What name does Antonio, disguised as an idiot, go by among the staff?

A. Only Tony
B. Master Tony
C. Anthony Fool
D. Cousin Tony

A. Only Tony.
Antonio’s companion explains that they “use but half” his full name when addressing the supposed fool, calling him Tony.

17. If Antonio could attain only a low degree of wit, what would his cousin wish him to creep toward?

A. Chair of wit
B. King’s court
C. Justice’s bench
D. Mayor’s office

A. Chair of wit.
Pedro expresses hope that Alibius can raise Antonio’s wit so he might “creep but on all four / Towards the chair of wit”.

18. What civic office does Lollio boast he can raise Antonio’s wit up to in five weeks?

A. Constable
B. Headborough
C. Beadle
D. Watchman

A. Constable.
Lollio confidently guarantees he can “wind him up to the wit of constable” in five weeks’ time.

19. What does Antonio’s “wise” answer regarding fools concern?

A. Lawyers
B. Tailors
C. Grocers
D. Madmen

A. Lawyers.
Antonio states that forty fools go to a wise man in a day, which are those who fight and go to a lawyer.
20. What three specific ‘knaves’ does Lollio list that can together “make an honest man”?

A. Sergeant, jailer, beadle
B. Tailor, grocer, mayor
C. King, queen, prince
D. Cook, butler, guard

A. Sergeant, jailer, beadle.
Lollio lists the sergeant (catches him), the jailer (holds him), and the beadle (lashes him).

21. What did the “Welsh madman” lose his wits over?

A. A parmasant
B. His mother
C. A dwarf
D. His poems

A. A parmasant.
Lollio notes that the Welsh madman was undone when a mouse “spoil’d him a parmasant,” losing his wits over it.

22. Isabella asks Lollio to show her which specific patient first, who was commended as handsome?

A. Last come lùnatic
B. Welsh madman
C. Idiot Tony
D. The poet

A. Last come lùnatic.
Isabella asks to see Lollio’s newest lùnatic, who had previously been described by Lollio as a proper body.

23. What specific food item is Franciscus concerned about finding in his cup?

A. A spider
B. Poison
C. A grape-stone
D. Onion

A. A spider.
Franciscus sees a spider in his cup but retracts, deciding “No, ’tis but a grape-stone: swallow it, fear nothing”.

24. What caused the “last come lùnatic” (Franciscus) to run mad?

A. Unrequited love
B. Loss of poetry
C. Spoiled cheese
D. Financial ruin

A. Unrequited love.
Lollio explains that Franciscus ran mad for love of a chambermaid, having been previously afflicted by being a poet.
25. Antonio is disguised as a fool to gain access to whom?

A. Isabella, Wife
B. Beatrice, Lady
C. Diaphanta, Maid
D. Lollio, Servant

A. Isabella, Wife.
Antonio drops his disguise to reveal he is Isabella’s “dearest love,” who used the fool’s shape to approach her.

26. What does Antonio claim that love gave him to successfully seek Isabella?

A. An intellect
B. A fine shape
C. A weapon
D. Gold coin

A. An intellect.
Antonio explains that Love has “an intellect that runs through all / The scrutinous sciences,” leading him to her.

27. What favor does Isabella grant Antonio upon his confession of love?

A. Keep his habit
B. Marry him
C. Run away
D. Give him money

A. Keep his habit.
Isabella tells Antonio she will not expose him but advises him to “Keep your habit” as it suits him well enough.

28. What crude term does Lollio use to describe Antonio in front of Isabella?

A. Gentle nidget
B. Parlous fool
C. Arrant fool
D. Clever scholar

A. Gentle nidget.
Lollio describes Antonio as a “gentle nidget,” assuring Isabella that she may safely play with him.

29. What is Beatrice’s description of her relationship with Alsemero before the murder?

A. Intellectual eyesight
B. Blushing fears
C. Holy purpose
D. Perfect honesty

A. Intellectual eyesight.
Beatrice claims she loves Alsemero “with the eyes of judgment,” suggesting she is making a rational choice.
30. How many times a day does Deflores admit he forces excuses to see Beatrice?

A. Twenty times
B. Only once
C. Several times
D. Never before

A. Twenty times.
Deflores admits he forces errands to see her “Some twenty times a day,” despite receiving little encouragement.

31. What action does Beatrice perform that makes Deflores feel he is “up to the chin in heaven”?

A. Her fingers touch
B. She calls him
C. She gives gold
D. She asks for murder

A. Her fingers touch.
Beatrice touches Deflores when examining his face, making him feel immensely joyful: “Her fingers touch’d me”.

32. What does Beatrice wish creation had formed her as, so she might oppose her loathings?

A. Form’d me man
B. A royal person
C. A poor beggar
D. A madwoman

A. Form’d me man.
Beatrice wishes creation “Had form’d me man” so she would have the power to “remove” Piracquo from sight.

33. What act does Beatrice offer Deflores gold to commit for her?

A. Piracquo’s murder
B. Alsemero’s murder
C. Vermandero’s murder
D. Alonzo’s suicide

A. Piracquo’s murder.
Beatrice instructs Deflores to take Alonzo de Piracquo to his “fury,” ensuring he shall be seen no more.

34. How does Deflores respond to the initial offer of money for the murder?

A. Now you move me
B. I accept gladly
C. I want more
D. It is enough

A. Now you move me.
Deflores is insulted by the offer of gold, asking if she places him among “verminous fellows / To destroy things for wages”.
35. What physical item does Deflores cut off Alonzo to retrieve?

A. His finger
B. His hair
C. His hand
D. His ear

A. His finger.
Alonzo’s diamond ring was so tightly stuck that Deflores severed the “Finger and all” to take the jewel.

36. What is the title of the manuscript Beatrice finds and examines in Alsemero’s closet?

A. Secrets in Nature
B. Witches and Wives
C. The Virgin’s Guide
D. The Book of Art

A. Secrets in Nature.
Beatrice finds a manuscript titled, “The Book of Experiment, Call’d Secrets in Nature,” in his private closet.

37. What experiment in the manuscript concerns Beatrice the most deeply?

A. If woman be maid
B. If woman is pregnant
C. If man is faithful
D. If man is wealthy

A. If woman be maid.
Beatrice is most worried about the specific experiment, “How to know whether a woman be a maid or not”.

38. What amount of money does Beatrice offer a maid to take her place in the bridal bed?

A. A thousand ducats
B. Three hundred
C. Two spoonfuls
D. Five florins

A. A thousand ducats.
Beatrice offers “a thousand ducats” to any maid who would “try what my fear were” on the wedding night.

39. Who agrees to take Beatrice’s place in the bridal bed for the money?

A. Diaphanta, Maid
B. Isabella, Wife
C. Truly Kidman
D. Mrs Kidman

A. Diaphanta, Maid.
Diaphanta, confirming she is a maid, eagerly accepts the proposal to earn the gold and experience pleasure.
40. What is the name of the glass used to test for virginity in the play?

A. Glass M
B. Glass C
C. Glass A
D. Glass D

A. Glass M.
The “merry slight but true experiment” requires the party to drink from the glass inscribed with the letter M.

41. Which of the following is NOT one of the three symptoms of the virginity test?

A. Deep sleeping
B. Sudden sneezing
C. Sudden gaping
D. Violent laughing

A. Deep sleeping.
The effects on a maid are gaping, sneezing, and violent laughing; deep sleeping tests for pregnancy.

42. What time does Beatrice note Diaphanta has stayed until, confirming her selfish betrayal?

A. Two o’clock
B. One o’clock
C. Twelve o’clock
D. Four o’clock

A. Two o’clock.
A clock strikes one, and later another clock strikes two, confirming Diaphanta’s extreme delay in returning.

43. Why does Deflores warn Beatrice that the day-star is appearing?

A. Morning is near
B. Time is short
C. Danger is rising
D. She must flee

A. Morning is near.
Deflores warns her, “The day-star, by this hand; see [Phosphorus] plain yonder,” indicating time has run out.

44. How does Deflores plan to force Diaphanta out of the chamber, without implicating Beatrice?

A. Set fire
B. Use a whip
C. Summon police
D. Call Alsemero

A. Set fire.
Deflores plans to set “some part afire / Of Diaphanta’s chamber,” forcing her to flee.
45. How does Deflores disguise his murder weapon (a charged piece)?

A. Scour the chimney
B. Clean the gun
C. Protect the house
D. Put out fire

A. Scour the chimney.
Deflores pretends he is taking the piece (gun) to “scour the chimney,” a proper action in a fire.

46. What state is Diaphanta found in after the “fire,” fulfilling Deflores’s plan?

A. Burnt to death
B. Stifled by smoke
C. Severely wounded
D. Just sleeping

A. Burnt to death.
Deflores returns, announcing, “Diaphanta’s burnt,” as the flames were “Greedy of her”.

47. What quality does Tomazo say Deflores must possess to take a blow with “thanks given”?

A. Wise lawyer
B. Mad politician
C. Honest gentleman
D. Kind friend

A. Wise lawyer.
Deflores accepts the blow Tomazo gives him, saying he takes his injury “Like a wise lawyer,” as a favor.

48. What is Alsemero’s first question to Beatrice when he suspects her of infidelity?

A. Are you honest
B. Do you love me
C. Where is Deflores
D. Why the delay

A. Are you honest.
When Alsemero confronts Beatrice, he asks directly, “Are you honest?” which she calls a “broad question”.

49. What does Beatrice confess that her desperate love for Alsemero made her become?

A. A cruel murderess
B. A lying woman
C. A common whore
D. A faithful wife

A. A cruel murderess.
Beatrice dramatically confesses that her love made her “A cruel murderess,” having caused Piracquo’s death.
50. In the climax, what ultimate crime does Deflores reveal Beatrice committed on the nuptial night?

A. Bed was coz’ned
B. She was imprisoned
C. She stole money
D. She hated him

A. Bed was coz’ned.
Deflores declares that the marriage bed was “coz’ned on the nuptial night,” identifying Diaphanta as the substitute.

Brief Overview

The Changeling is a Jacobean tragedy written by Thomas Middleton and William Rowley. It was first performed in 1622. The play is a cautionary tale that details the disastrous, spiralling consequences of sin, forbidden desire, and moral corruption.

The main plot follows Beatrice Joanna, who loves Alsemero, but she is obligated to marry Alonzo de Piracquo. Beatrice develops an intense dislike for Deflores, whom she repeatedly calls ill-faced. To prevent her unwanted marriage, Beatrice hires Deflores to murder Piracquo. Deflores stabs Piracquo and cuts off his finger to retrieve a diamond ring as proof.

Deflores refuses the gold Beatrice offers him for the crime. He demands that Beatrice give him her body as the full payment, sarcastically calling her “his fair murderess.” Beatrice marries Alsemero. She then fears a secret liquid test that Alsemero has, which proves virginity.

Beatrice convinces her maid, Diaphanta, to sleep with Alsemero on the wedding night for a thousand ducats. Deflores later sets a fire to kill Diaphanta, thus keeping the secret safe.

Alsemero soon suspects his wife’s infidelity. Beatrice confesses that she caused Piracquo’s murder for Alsemero’s sake. Deflores confirms the murder and their sinful relationship.

Deflores then stabs himself. Beatrice also dies from a wound. The play concludes by showing how beauty quickly changes to ugly sin.

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