Aphra Behn

Study question Aphra Behn

Facts about Aphra Behn

➾ Aphra Behn, the author, was born in 1640 (approximately) in either Harbledown or Kent, England, but her origin is debated.

➾ Behn’s birth origin remains a mystery, suggesting she may have deliberately obscured details of her early life.

➾ She became the first Englishwoman known to successfully earn her living entirely by writing prose and plays.

➾ One tradition states she travelled to Suriname, then an English possession, with a couple named Amis.

➾ Aphra Behn was more likely the daughter of a barber named Bartholomew Johnson, according to one account.

➾ She married a merchant named Behn in 1664; he died or they separated shortly after.

➾ King Charles II employed the witty and talented Aphra Behn for secret service work in the Netherlands.

➾ She was unrewarded for her government service and briefly imprisoned due to accruing debt before writing.

➾ Though she wrote a sole tragedy, Abdelazer, she increasingly turned toward writing light comedy and farce.

➾ Behn claimed acquaintance with the enslaved African prince, Oroonoko, the central subject of her short 1688 novel.

➾ Her relative freedom as a professional writer, plus the subject matter, made her the object of public scandal.

➾ Her play, The Emperor of the Moon (1687), interestingly presaged the harlequinade, leading to English pantomime.

Afra Behn MCQs

1. When was Aphra Behn born?

A. Sixteen forty
B. Sixteen sixty
C. Sixteen eighty
D. Seventeen oh-five

A. Sixteen forty
Aphra Behn’s birth year is approximately 1640, though a precise date and location are not completely certain.

2. Where was Aphra Behn most likely born?

A. Harbledown, Kent
B. London, England
C. Naples, Italy
D. Suriname, Caribbean

A. Harbledown, Kent
She was born in Harbledown, Kent, England, although the exact location and time remain part of an enduring mystery.

3. In what year did Aphra Behn pass away?

A. Sixteen seventy
B. Sixteen eighty-nine
C. Seventeen oh-three
D. Seventeen eighteen

B. Sixteen eighty-nine
Aphra Behn died in London on April 16, 1689, concluding her impactful and financially successful career as a writer.

4. Where did Aphra Behn die?

A. Naples
B. Madrid
C. London
D. Kent

C. London
Aphra Behn died in the city of London on April 16, 1689, having lived and worked there professionally.

5. What is Aphra Behn famous for being first to do?

A. Write poetry
B. Earn a living by writing
C. Travel to Suriname
D. Write a comedy

B. Earn a living by writing
She is recognised as the first known Englishwoman who successfully earned her living solely through writing.

6. What was Behn’s first play produced?

A. The Rover
B. The Emperor
C. The Forced Marriage
D. Oroonoko

C. The Forced Marriage
Her inaugural play, The Forc’d Marriage, a tragicomedy in verse, was first produced for the stage in 1670.

7. Which short novel, addressing slavery and race, was published in 1688?

A. Love-Letters
B. The Fair Jilt
C. Oroonoko
D. The Rover

C. Oroonoko
The short novel Oroonoko, published in 1688, became her best-known work by the turn of the 21st century.

8. Which literary genre draws the most current interest regarding Behn’s work?

A. Verse tragedy
B. Her fiction
C. Early pantomime
D. Secret Service files

B. Her fiction
Although she wrote many plays, her fiction, especially Oroonoko, currently attracts significantly more academic interest.

9. What description characterised Aphra Behn’s personality, according to sources?

A. Reserved and shy
B. Charm and generosity
C. Cynical and distant
D. Wealthy and powerful

B. Charm and generosity
Her charm and generosity were noted traits that helped her win a wide circle of devoted friends.

10. What profession is one tradition suggesting Behn’s father held?

A. A dramatist
B. A merchant
C. A barber
D. A spy

C. A barber
One tradition identifies Behn as the daughter of Bartholomew Johnson, who worked as a barber.

11. What was the name of the couple Behn allegedly travelled with to Suriname?

A. The Johnsons
B. The Amis
C. The Stuarts
D. The Roves

B. The Amis
One tradition suggests she travelled to Suriname in the 1650s with a couple known only as Amis.

12. In what decade did Behn potentially travel to Suriname?

A. The 1640s
B. The 1650s
C. The 1660s
D. The 1680s

B. The 1650s
According to one tradition, the child known as Aphra travelled to Suriname sometime during the 1650s.

13. What English possession did Behn travel to in the 1650s or 1663?

A. Naples
B. London
C. Kent
D. Suriname

D. Suriname
Behn travelled with her family, or possibly the Amis couple, to the English possession of Suriname.

14. When did Behn return to England from her travels abroad?

A. Sixteen sixty-three
B. Sixteen sixty-four
C. Sixteen sixty-six
D. Sixteen seventy

B. Sixteen sixty-four
She returned to England in 1664, shortly thereafter marrying a merchant named Behn.

15. What status did Behn’s husband hold?

A. A barber
B. A dramatist
C. A merchant
D. A king’s spy

C. A merchant
After returning to England, she married a man named Behn, identified in the source as a merchant.

16. Who employed Aphra Behn in secret service in the 1660s?

A. King George I
B. King Charles II
C. Queen Anne
D. Lord Protector

B. King Charles II
Due to her recognised talent and wit, she was hired for secret service work by King Charles II.

17. In which country did Behn serve as a spy for the English Crown?

A. France
B. The Netherlands
C. Spain
D. Italy

B. The Netherlands
King Charles II employed Behn for secret service duties carried out in the Netherlands in 1666.

18. Why did Behn begin writing professionally?

A. Personal passion
B. To gain fame
C. To support herself
D. King’s orders

C. To support herself
Unrewarded for her spy work and briefly imprisoned for debt, she turned to writing to earn a living.

19. What happened to Behn immediately before she began writing?

A. She travelled
B. She was imprisoned
C. She married
D. She published

B. She was imprisoned
Behn was briefly imprisoned for debt after her secret service work, before she started supporting herself by writing.

20. What is known about Behn’s early life origin?

A. It is clear
B. It is well-documented
C. It is a mystery
D. It is highly simple

C. It is a mystery
Behn may have intentionally obscured her background, leading to the lasting mystery surrounding her early life.

21. What was the name of the potential father, a barber, mentioned in one tradition?

A. Bartholomew Johnson
B. Charles Behn
C. Prince Oroonoko
D. Amis Bartholomew

A. Bartholomew Johnson
One tradition suggests she was the daughter of a barber named Bartholomew Johnson, though the account is disputed.

22. What description led to Behn being employed by the King?

A. Her great beauty
B. Her great wealth
C. Her wit and talent
D. Her noble birth

C. Her wit and talent
Her recognised wit and talent led to her employment in the secret service by King Charles II in 1666.

23. What primary dramatic form characterised Behn’s initial works?

A. High tragedy
B. Satirical poems
C. Tragicomedies in verse
D. Epistolary novels

C. Tragicomedies in verse
Behn’s early dramatic works, including her first play, were generally structured as tragicomedies presented in verse format.

24. What type of work was Behn’s play Abdelazer?

A. A light comedy
B. A verse tragedy
C. A short novel
D. A tragicomedy

B. A verse tragedy
Abdelazer, staged in 1676, stands out as Behn’s sole known tragedy among her dramatic and vast output.

25. When was Behn’s single tragedy, Abdelazer, staged?

A. Sixteen seventy
B. Sixteen seventy-six
C. Sixteen seventy-seven
D. Sixteen eighty-one

B. Sixteen seventy-six
Behn’s only tragedy, Abdelazer, was performed for the first time on stage in 1676.

26. What was The Amorous Prince, produced in 1671?

A. A tragedy
B. A farce
C. An early play
D. A poem

C. An early play
The Amorous Prince followed her first play, The Forc’d Marriage, being successfully produced on stage in 1671.

27. What category did Behn increasingly focus on during the 1670s?

A. Sole tragedy
B. Light comedy/farce
C. Epistolary novels
D. Historical fiction

B. Light comedy/farce
Over the 1670s, Behn shifted her dramatic attention toward the commercially popular genres of light comedy and farce.

28. Which of Behn’s comedies was commercially successful and produced in two parts?

A. The Amorous Prince
B. Abdelazer
C. The Rover
D. The Fair Jilt

C. The Rover
The witty and vivacious comedy The Rover was highly successful, staged in two distinct parts.

29. In what years were the two parts of The Rover produced?

A. 1670 and 1671
B. 1677 and 1681
C. 1684 and 1687
D. 1688 and 1689

B. 1677 and 1681
The two commercially successful parts of The Rover were staged four years apart, in 1677 and 1681.

30. Who were the main characters whose adventures The Rover depicts?

A. Enslaved Africans
B. English Cavaliers
C. Dutch merchants
D. French aristocrats

B. English Cavaliers
The Rover follows the lively adventures of a small group of English Cavaliers during their period of political exile.

31. In which European cities do the events of The Rover take place?

A. London and Paris
B. Amsterdam and Dover
C. Madrid and Naples
D. Rome and Venice

C. Madrid and Naples
The story of The Rover is set in Madrid and Naples while the English Cavaliers are in exile.

32. The Emperor of the Moon presaged the development of what form of comic theatre?

A. Harlequinade
B. Burlesque
C. Opera
D. Masque

A. Harlequinade
The Emperor of the Moon, first staged in 1687, foreshadowed the emerging comic theatre form known as the harlequinade.

33. What did the harlequinade later evolve into in England?

A. English opera
B. English tragedy
C. English pantomime
D. English satire

C. English pantomime
The harlequinade, anticipated by Behn’s work, later evolved into the popular form of English pantomime.

34. How were Behn’s comedies successful?

A. Long and dull
B. Witty and vivacious
C. Dark and mysterious
D. Traditional and plain

B. Witty and vivacious
Her commercially successful light comedies, like The Rover, are described specifically as both witty and very vivacious.

35. What is the subject of the plot of Behn’s novel Oroonoko?

A. A wealthy king
B. An enslaved prince
C. A Dutch spy
D. A London barber

B. An enslaved prince
Oroonoko recounts the story of an enslaved African prince whom Behn claimed to have personally known.

36. When was Behn’s short novel Oroonoko published?

A. Sixteen seventy-six
B. Sixteen eighty-four
C. Sixteen eighty-eight
D. Sixteen eighty-nine

C. Sixteen eighty-eight
The novel Oroonoko, which focuses on themes of slavery and race, was published in 1688.

37. What themes does Oroonoko engage with that make it relevant today?

A. Theatre and exile
B. Debt and spying
C. Slavery and race
D. Religion and faith

C. Slavery and race
Oroonoko’s engagement with themes like slavery, race, and gender contributed significantly to its enduring fame.

38. What helped make Oroonoko her best-known work by the 21st century?

A. Its use of farce
B. Its plot influence
C. Its development of novel
D. Its financial success

C. Its development of novel
Its influence on the development of the English novel contributed significantly to its ongoing critical recognition.

39. What form of novel is Love-Letters Between a Nobleman and His Sister?

A. A short novel
B. A tragicomedy
C. An epistolary novel
D. A verse narrative

C. An epistolary novel
Love-Letters Between a Nobleman and His Sister is described as a multipart novel written in the epistolary format.

40. Over what years was Love-Letters Between a Nobleman and His Sister published?

A. 1677–1681
B. 1684–1687
C. 1688–1689
D. 1666–1670

B. 1684–1687
This multipart epistolary novel, Love-Letters, was published serially from 1684 to 1687.

41. The Fair Jilt (1688) falls under which category of Behn’s work?

A. Poetry
B. Fiction
C. Tragedy
D. Secret Service

B. Fiction
The Fair Jilt is listed among Behn’s other notable popular fiction works, published in 1688.

42. Where did Behn claim to have met the enslaved Prince Oroonoko?

A. London society
B. South America
C. The Netherlands
D. Spain

B. South America
Behn claimed that she had personally known Prince Oroonoko during her time in South America.

43. Which genre, besides plays, became the source of Behn’s greatest modern interest?

A. Poetry
B. Fiction
C. Letters
D. Adaptations

B. Fiction
Today, Behn’s fiction, such as Oroonoko, is considered more interesting and influential than her many plays.

44. What was notable about Behn’s professional freedom as a writer?

A. It was restricted
B. It was complete
C. It was relative
D. It was forbidden

C. It was relative
Her relative freedom as a professional writer, alongside her subject matter, contributed to her public scandal.

45. The bulk of Behn’s poetry was collected in which publication?

A. The Rover
B. Lycidus
C. Poems upon Occasions
D. Love-Letters

C. Poems upon Occasions
The majority of her poetry output was collected together in the volume Poems upon Several Occasions.

46. What year was the collection Poems upon Several Occasions published?

A. 1670
B. 1684
C. 1687
D. 1688

B. 1684
The poetry collection, Poems upon Several Occasions, which included A Voyage to the Island of Love, appeared in 1684.

47. Lycidus; or, The Lover in Fashion was a collection of poetry published in which year?

A. 1677
B. 1684
C. 1688
D. 1689

C. 1688
Lycidus; or, The Lover in Fashion, one of Behn’s later poetry collections, was published in the year 1688.

48. Behn’s output was described as being what?

A. Focused
B. Immense
C. Sparse
D. Traditional

B. Immense
Behn’s overall output of plays, fiction, and poetry is specifically described in the sources as immense.

49. Which factor, besides her freedom, made Behn the object of scandal?

A. Her wealth
B. Her travels
C. Her subject matter
D. Her political ties

C. Her subject matter
The often provocative subject matter of her varied literary works contributed significantly to the existing scandal.

50. Besides original work, what else did Behn often do regarding drama?

A. Adapted older dramatists
B. Translated French plays
C. Wrote long treatises
D. Designed costumes

A. Adapted older dramatists
Her versatility included frequently adapting the plays of various older dramatists.

The Lucky Chance MCQs

1. Why has Bellmour been separated from Leticia for six months?

A. Family dispute
B. Rigid Laws
C. Lack funds
D. Julia’s Vows

B. Rigid Laws.
Bellmour was forced into exile due to “rigid Laws” following a duel and killing a man in self-defence.

2. What is the profession of the man Bellmour was reported to have killed?

A. Dutch King
B. Rich Merchant
C. Cheese Monger
D. Old Soldier

C. Cheese Monger.
Ralph falsely reports that Bellmour was hanged in Holland for cutting the throat of a “Cheese Monger”.

3. What is the usual motivation for playing music after a wedding night?

A. Compliment Bride
B. Check humour
C. Make noise
D. Fright Lovers

B. Check humour.
Musicians typically play before the wedding, as afterwards the couple is often “out of humour” or tired.

4. Who recognises Bellmour despite his travelling disguise?

A. Phillis maid
B. Charles Gayman
C. Ralph servant
D. Sir Feeble

B. Charles Gayman.
Bellmour and Gayman fight briefly in the street before closing and recognising each other as friends.

5. Whom does Gayman still pursue despite her marriage?

A. Fickle Maid
B. Faithless Julia
C. Brave Diana
D. Scornful Phillis

B. Faithless Julia.
Gayman confesses he is still “damnably” in love with the “faithless Julia,” who is the old Alderman’s wife.

6. Who is Leticia marrying, according to Gayman?

A. Feeble Fainwou’d
B. Cautious Fulbank
C. Mr. Gingle
D. Ralph Servant

A. Feeble Fainwou’d.
Gayman reveals that Leticia is marrying Sir Feeble Fainwou’d, an old Knight and City Alderman.

7. How much money did Gayman invest in pursuing Julia?

A. Fifty Guineas
B. Two hundred
C. Eight hundred
D. Five hundred

C. Eight hundred.
Gayman says he has presented the best part of “Eight hundred a year” into Sir Cautious’s hands, in mortgage.

8. What lie does Gayman tell Lady Fulbank about his current status?

A. Dying Uncle
B. New Wealth
C. Seeking Pardon
D. High Treason

A. Dying Uncle.
Gayman pretends he is in the country with a “dying Uncle” from whom he expects a large estate.

9. Who is the man married to Gayman’s lover, Julia?

A. Bearjest Squire
B. Cautious Fulbank
C. Feeble Fainwou’d
D. Ralph Servant

B. Cautious Fulbank.
Gayman sees Sir Feeble, the bridegroom, entering with “old Sir Cautious Fulbank,” Gayman’s intended cuckold.

10. What does Gayman advise Bellmour to do to Sir Feeble instead of killing him?

A. Cuckold him
B. Seize Bride
C. Get Pardon
D. Hide Quickly

A. Cuckold him.
Gayman repeatedly advises Bellmour to “Cuckold him” rather than risk being hanged for violence.

11. What fictional identity does Bellmour assume to approach Sir Feeble?

A. Francis Fainwou’d
B. John Smith
C. Wasteall Rogue
D. Captain Noisey

A. Francis Fainwou’d.
Bellmour intercepts a letter and decides to impersonate “Francis Fainwou’d,” the nephew from St. Omer’s.

12. Why did Bellmour’s friend Ralph think Bellmour had been hanged?

A. Due to Plot
B. Killed King
C. Snicker Snee
D. High Treason

C. Snicker Snee.
Ralph explains Bellmour cut a cheesemonger’s throat in a “Snicker Snee” fight over brandy.

13. What made Leticia finally consent to marry Sir Feeble?

A. Small Fortune
B. Tired Waiting
C. Scornful Glance
D. Loving Him

A. Small Fortune.
Leticia was convinced to marry due to her “Fortune was small” and the promise of a Ladyship.

14. What service did Gayman initially leave Leticia in charge of him to perform?

A. Daily Visits
B. Write Vows
C. Raise Funds
D. Avoid Trouble

A. Daily Visits.
Gayman says Bellmour left Leticia “in charge with me,” and he saw her every day, until he slackened his visits.

15. What legal document did Bellmour fail to secure before returning?

A. Full Liberty
B. His Pardon
C. King’s Favour
D. Legal Exit

B. His Pardon.
Bellmour admits he needs his pardon secured as he was the first transgressor since the anti-duelling act.

16. What name does Lady Fulbank use for Gayman in her letter?

A. Charles Gayman
B. Dear Bellmour
C. Adoring Love
D. Dying Uncle

A. Charles Gayman.
Lady Fulbank reads the letter from her lover, signed explicitly with “Charles Gayman”.

17. What alias does Gayman use due to his financial troubles?

A. Mr. Wasteall
B. Mr. Scrivener
C. Francis Nephew
D. Lord Protector

A. Mr. Wasteall.
Bredwel reports that the gentleman in Alsatia, who is losing his mortgage, is named Mr. Wasteall.

18. Where does Bredwel find Gayman lodging due to his poverty?

A. Alsatia Place
B. St. Omer’s
C. London Hall
D. Fulbank House

A. Alsatia Place.
Bredwel locates Gayman’s lodgings in a “nasty Place called Alsatia,” at a blacksmith’s shop.

19. How much money is needed to redeem Gayman’s land forfeiture?

A. Two thousand
B. Five hundred
C. Eight hundred
D. Fifty Pounds

B. Five hundred.
Lady Fulbank determines that “Five hundred Pounds” is required to redeem Gayman’s mortgage forfeiture.

20. Whose cash does Lady Fulbank decide to use to secretly help Gayman?

A. Bredwel’s money
B. Cautious’s Cash
C. Unknown hand
D. Francis Fainwou’d

B. Cautious’s Cash.
Lady Fulbank plans to commit theft by using the key she has to Sir Cautious’s “Counting–House”.

21. What action of Sir Feeble’s convinces Leticia of his nastiness?

A. Nauseous Thing
B. Old Lover
C. Steal up
D. Wanton Tit

C. Steal up.
Sir Feeble threatens to “steal up” and catch her, which Leticia finds “nauseous” and disgusting.

22. What item does Sir Feeble request before meeting his supposed nephew?

A. Long Sword
B. Pistol Pack
C. New Gown
D. Fine Jewels

A. Long Sword.
Sir Feeble orders Ralph to bring his “long Sword” first, fearing Bellmour has returned to challenge him.

23. What talent does Sir Feeble hope his nephew Francis possesses?

A. Duel skills
B. Keep Books
C. Avoid Plotting
D. Dancing steps

B. Keep Books.
Sir Feeble asks Francis if he can “keep Merchants’ Books,” since he wants Francis to help with business.

24. What comparison does Bearjest use to justify his travel method to Ireland?

A. Fine Walk
B. Walking Deck
C. World’s End
D. French Miracle

B. Walking Deck.
Bearjest claims he travelled to Ireland afoot because he was “still afoot, ever walking on the Deck”.

25. What is the condition attached to Diana’s dowry?

A. High Honor
B. Three thousand
C. New Coach
D. London Home

B. Three thousand.
Sir Feeble promises Bearjest “three thousand pounds present,” plus more upon his death for marrying Diana.

26. Why did Sir Feeble resolve to turn Leticia’s sadness into laughter?

A. Quench fire
B. Need name
C. Blushing maid
D. All mortals

A. Quench fire.
Sir Feeble sings that when Phoebus retires “to Thetis’ Bed to quench his fire,” mortals follow suit.

27. What physical item did the Landlady lose, leaving only Judas?

A. Silver Spoons
B. Gold Ring
C. New Mantua
D. Handkerchief

A. Silver Spoons.
The Landlady complains she lost her “postle Spoons,” until she had only “Judas left” for her husband.

28. How does Gayman manage to stop the Landlady’s raging demands?

A. Force Wine
B. Present Cash
C. Threaten Husband
D. Call Watch

A. Force Wine.
Gayman orders Rag to force a glass of wine into her mouth to quiet her “flabber Chops”.

29. What item does the Landlady suggest pawning to retrieve Gayman’s suit?

A. Gold chain
B. Molly’s Cup
C. Husband’s ring
D. Silver sword

B. Molly’s Cup.
The Landlady agrees to pawn the “Caudle Cup that Molly’s Grandmother left her” for the required sum.

30. Who delivers the money bag to Gayman, disguised as a Devil?

A. Rag Footman
B. Pert Maid
C. Bredwel Servant
D. Landlady Grimes

C. Bredwel Servant.
Bredwel enters Gayman’s lodgings dressed like a Devil, giving him the gold and the letter.

31. What is the required payment for the “great Bounty” given to Gayman?

A. Only Secrecy
B. Eternal Love
C. Brave Courage
D. Follow Me

A. Only Secrecy.
When Gayman asks how he must pay for the bounty, the Devil/Bredwel says, “all the Pay is Secrecy”.

32. Where is Gayman told to meet the Devil’s spirit later that night?

A. Old Mill
B. Silent Wall
C. Alsatia Place
D. London Bridge

B. Silent Wall.
The devil/Bredwel instructs Gayman to meet him near the “Corner of the silent Wall” in Lincoln’s Inn.

33. What kind of music is playing when Gayman enters the Fulbank apartment?

A. Soft Musick
B. Loud Horns
C. Hammers Ringing
D. Fiddles Twanging

A. Soft Musick.
When Gayman enters Lady Fulbank’s apartment (Scene IV), “Soft Musick plays” to greet him.

34. What ritual does the Nymph/Pert perform on Gayman’s hand?

A. Swears oath
B. Give Gold
C. Sacred Ring
D. Silent vow

C. Sacred Ring.
Pert places a ring on Gayman’s finger, requiring him to swear constancy by its materials and figure.

35. What does the Nymph promise Gayman he will be kept forever if he complies?

A. Good Humour
B. Rich Fortune
C. Young Bed
D. True Love

C. Young Bed.
The ritual promises to keep him “ever young in Bed” if he remains silent and discreet.

36. Why does Gayman conclude his mysterious patron must be old and ugly?

A. Wants secrecy
B. Pays too well
C. Likes darkness
D. Lacks honour

A. Wants secrecy.
He reasons that a beautiful, young woman would boast, so the woman must be “old and ugly” and seek secrecy.

37. What makes Sir Feeble return from his wedding night encounter?

A. Plot News
B. Cold Feet
C. Fear Ghost
D. Lack Courage

A. Plot News.
Bellmour, disguised as Francis, tricks Sir Feeble into leaving by claiming there is a City “Plot” and the Aldermen are meeting.

38. What item does Bellmour use to trick Sir Feeble into leaving the chamber?

A. Dagger drawn
B. Cautious Watch
C. Letter Plot
D. Bloody Shirt

B. Cautious Watch.
Bellmour uses Sir Cautious Fulbank’s “Watch” as a token to prove the urgent need for Sir Feeble’s presence.

39. What document does Sir Feeble show Bellmour that he has procured?

A. Wife’s Vows
B. Secret Will
C. His Pardon
D. Mortgage Deed

C. His Pardon.
Sir Feeble reveals he has obtained Bellmour’s “Pardon” and tells Francis to put it safely into his cabinet.

40. What action does Leticia take immediately upon Bellmour’s return to the chamber?

A. Writes Letter
B. Gets Ready
C. Confesses Sin
D. Calls Phillis

B. Gets Ready.
Bellmour tells Leticia to “get thyself ready,” and she confirms, “I will not fail, my Love.”

41. What is Sir Feeble wearing when he arrives at Sir Cautious’s house in Act III?

A. Armed Cap-a-pee
B. Night Gown
C. Wedding Suit
D. Travelling Habit

A. Armed Cap-a-pee.
Sir Feeble enters “drest, and arm’d Cap–a–pee,” wearing a helmet, buff-coat, and half-pike.

42. Why does Sir Feeble believe Sir Cautious is greatly disturbed?

A. Young Wife
B. Stares Gapes
C. Plot News
D. Loud Roaring

B. Stares Gapes.
Sir Feeble observes how wildly Sir Cautious “stares and gapes,” assuming he is troubled by his wife.

43. Who is Sir Cautious afraid is robbing him in Act III?

A. Bellmour Ghost
B. Thieves Murder
C. Bredwel Devil
D. Young Spark

B. Thieves Murder.
Sir Cautious, woken up, hears a “silent Noise” and cries, “Thieves—Murder, Murder!”

44. What does the ring placed on Gayman’s finger require him to be?

A. Silent Discreet
B. Pure Virtuous
C. Rich Happy
D. Strong Bold

A. Silent Discreet.
The spell requires Gayman to be “silent and discreet” and to keep his vow.

45. What item does Lady Fulbank accuse Gayman of using base means to acquire?

A. Rich Clothes
B. This Gallantry
C. Gold Coin
D. Stolen Jewels

B. This Gallantry.
Lady Fulbank asks how Gayman maintains “This Gallantry” and accuses him of using “base means.”

46. What does Sir Cautious agree to stake against Gayman’s three hundred pounds?

A. Wife’s Chastity
B. All his estate
C. One Night
D. Cato’s Wisdom

C. One Night.
Sir Cautious agrees to stake “A single Night” with his wife, to possess her “at discretion”.

47. What literary figure is Sir Cautious’s precedent for lending his wife?

A. Wise Man
B. Cato Ass
C. Hortensius Friend
D. Old Dotard

B. Cato Ass.
Sir Cautious defends his decision by citing the precedent of the wise man Cato lending his wife.

48. Who is revealed to be the Ghost of Bellmour in Sir Feeble’s bedchamber?

A. Carlos Fainwou’d
B. Bellmour himself
C. Francis Nephew
D. Gayman Devil

B. Bellmour himself.
Bellmour enters from the curtains, having removed his coat and disguise, holding a dagger.

49. What final choice does Bellmour, as the Ghost, offer Sir Feeble?

A. Repent Die
B. Fly Sight
C. Renounce her
D. All these

D. All these.
Bellmour commands Sir Feeble to renounce his wife, fly her sight, and repent, or else die.

50. What final decision does Sir Cautious make regarding his wealthy nephew?

A. Give him
B. Too much
C. Wise man
D. Marry Pert

B. Too much.
Sir Cautious decides to leave his estate to Julia instead of his nephew because Bearjest has “too much already for a Fool.”

Brief Overview

The Lucky Chance is a Restoration comedy by Aphra Behn. It was first staged in 1686. Through high comedy and satire, Behn mocks the older, “out-of-touch” men and the societal hypocrisy that allowed unfair marital bargains to persist.

The story centers on Leticia, who loves the outlaw Bellmour, but is forced to marry the old, rich Sir Feeble Fainwou’d. Sir Feeble tricks Leticia by falsely saying that Bellmour was hanged.

Bellmour returns in disguise as Sir Feeble’s nephew. He immediately steals his own official pardon, which Sir Feeble had hidden.

Bellmour’s poor friend, Gayman, loves Lady Fulbank. Her husband is the cautious, greedy Sir Cautious Fulbank. Lady Fulbank secretly sends money to Gayman. Gayman uses this money to gamble with Sir Cautious. He bets three hundred pounds against one night with Lady Fulbank and wins the wager.

On the wedding night, Bellmour appears as a bloody ghost and successfully scares Sir Feeble away from Leticia’s bed. Sir Cautious sneaks Gayman into his wife’s room in a chest, planning to win back his money. Lady Fulbank is shocked to discover her husband has sold her for cash.

Bellmour reveals he is alive and free. He marries Leticia, and Sir Feeble is cured of his folly. Lady Fulbank chooses Gayman, who inherits a large fortune, leaving her greedy husband exposed and ruined.