Women Beware Women MCQs

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Author: Nasir Iqbal | Assistant Professor of English Literature


Updated on: November 19, 2025
Estimated Reading Time: 16 min

Women Beware Women MCQs

1. What position commanded Leantio to be away from home frequently?

A. Leantio’s factorship
B. His family law
C. Merchant’s trust
D. Factorship

A. Leantio’s factorship.
Leantio’s master’s trust and care required him to work in his factorship, leading to frequent absences.

2. Where did Leantio bring Bianca from after their secret marriage?

A. Venice, Italy
B. Florence, City
C. Rome, Italy
D. Bologna, Italy

A. Venice, Italy.
Leantio brought Bianca from Venice, where her parents were great in wealth and rage.

3. How does Leantio justify the act of secretly marrying Bianca to his Mother?

A. Theft, noble
B. Noble theft
C. Base sin
D. High treason

A. Theft, noble.
Leantio referred to marrying Bianca as “theft, but noble,” sealed from Heaven by marriage.

4. What financial concern does Leantio’s Mother raise about Bianca?

A. Her maintenance fitting
B. Her expensive clothes
C. Her money spending
D. Her family’s debt

A. Her maintenance fitting.
The Mother worried about Leantio’s ability to provide fitting maintenance for Bianca’s birth and virtues.
5. What is the relationship between Fabritio and Livia?

A. Brother, sister
B. Husband, wife
C. Father, daughter
D. Niece, aunt

A. Brother, sister.
Livia addresses Fabritio as “brother,” confirming their close familial relationship in Florence.

6. According to Fabritio, women who marry fools are rewarded by living what kind of existence?

A. Live ladies’ lives
B. Obey husbands
C. Stay silent
D. Live poorly

A. Live ladies’ lives.
Fabritio argues that women who marry fools are rewarded by living a life like a lady.

7. Livia suggests young wives should have their loyalty checked after how many years of marriage?

A. Three years’ end
B. Fifteen years
C. One year
D. Forty weeks

A. Three years’ end.
Livia suggests young wives’ faithfulness should be checked after only three years’ time.

8. What is the source of Hippolito’s profound inward sorrow?

A. Forbidden incestuous love
B. His cruel father
C. His great ambition
D. His financial debt

A. Forbidden incestuous love.
Hippolyto is silently consumed by forbidden affection for his niece Isabella, which Heaven has forbidden.

9. Isabella claims marrying a fool is what specific emotion for a good woman?

A. Greater misery
B. Happy guest
C. Great fortune
D. Full joy

A. Greater misery.
Isabella sees marrying a fool as the greatest misery a virtuous woman can possibly endure.
10. Who does Isabella accuse of being sad, reflecting her own internal distress?

A. Her uncle
B. The Ward
C. Her father
D. The Duke

A. Her uncle.
Isabella notices Hippolito’s sadness, believing he suffers grief due to her father’s cruel actions.

11. Leantio compares his departure from Bianca and pleasure to what terrifying concept?

A. Second Hell
B. Great revels
C. Death’s grip
D. Fire and brimstone

A. Second Hell.
Leantio compares the bitterness of leaving Bianca and separating from pleasure to a “second Hell”.

12. Leantio keeps his “choice treasures” hidden, fearing that showing wealth would tempt whom?

A. Show thieves
B. His Mother
C. Other gallants
D. The Duke

A. Show thieves.
Leantio resolves to keep his “jewel” Bianca hidden, fearing that showing wealth would tempt thieves.

13. What event is the Mother explaining to Bianca when the Duke and State pass by?

A. Yearly solemnity
B. Funeral procession
C. Holy feast
D. Great triumph

A. Yearly solemnity.
The Mother explains the great crowd is due to the Duke’s annual solemnity to St Mark’s Temple.

14. Who is the Duke’s noble brother mentioned by the Mother?

A. The Lord Cardinal
B. Guardiano
C. Hippolito
D. Fabritio

A. The Lord Cardinal.
The Mother mentions the Duke’s noble brother is the Lord Cardinal, famous for his devotion.
15. Livia fears that Hippolito’s concealed grief for Isabella will bring what upon him?

A. Will bring upon him
B. Lead to despair
C. Great dishonour
D. Public exposure

A. Will bring upon him.
Livia fears that Hippolito’s hidden grief for Isabella will bring a fearful change upon him.

16. Livia suggests few sisters prioritize their brother’s ease above their own what?

A. Own honesties
B. Own reputation
C. Own desires
D. Own pleasure

A. Own honesties.
Livia suggests few sisters sacrifice their own honesties to ensure their brother’s emotional comfort and ease.

17. What does Isabella feel compelled to do regarding the Ward due to her father’s power?

A. Of force consent
B. Of choice reject
C. Speak truth
D. Flee the city

A. Of force consent.
Isabella feels bound by strict obedience to her father’s will, compelling her to consent to the marriage.

18. What secret does Livia reveal to Isabella regarding their relationship?

A. Not allied to us
B. Rich parents
C. True father
D. Great fortune

A. Not allied to us.
Livia reveals that Isabella is “nothing less” than niece and aunt, and is “no more allied” to them.

19. Who does Livia reveal is Isabella’s actual true father?

A. Marquis of Coria
B. Duke of Florence
C. Leantio
D. Antonio

A. Marquis of Coria.
Livia reveals the famed Spaniard, the Marquis of Coria, was actually Isabella’s true, noble father.
20. How does Isabella physically express her newfound acceptance toward Hippolito?

A. A kiss
B. A blush
C. A gentle touch
D. A fierce embrace

A. A kiss.
Isabella expresses her change of heart towards Hippolito by giving him a friendly and savory kiss.

21. Who first saw Bianca at the widow’s window, beginning the Duke’s pursuit?

A. The Duke
B. Guardiano
C. Leantio
D. The Mother

A. The Duke.
Guardiano confirms the Duke first spotted Bianca at the widow’s window, falling into a sudden rapture.

22. What action did Livia take to commence the plot to procure Bianca for the Duke?

A. Send for Mother
B. Set the trap
C. Send for Bianca
D. Prepare the masque

A. Send for Mother.
To initiate the plot, Livia suggests that the old Mother should be sent for with all speed.

23. Who is Livia playing against in the game of chess when Bianca first arrives?

A. The Mother
B. Guardiano
C. Hippolito
D. Fabritio

A. The Mother.
Livia and the Mother sit down to play chess, intending to pass the time until supper.

24. What specific part of Livia’s dwelling does Guardiano suggest showing Bianca?

A. The monument
B. The wine cellar
C. Her chamber
D. The library

A. The monument.
Guardiano suggests showing Bianca the rooms, pictures, and the “monument too,” a sight everyone misses.
25. Livia implies which character will “strike a sure stroke for the game anon”?

A. Here’s a duke
B. The black king
C. The white pawn
D. The wise bishop

A. Here’s a duke.
Livia states, “Here’s a duke / Will strike a sure stroke for the game anon,” confirming the Duke’s role in the plot.

26. What does the Duke offer Bianca in exchange for her honor?

A. Wealth, honour
B. Gold, service
C. Love, comfort
D. Jewels, pleasure

A. Wealth, honour.
The Duke attempts to seduce Bianca by offering her valuable things in exchange, namely wealth and honour.

27. How does Bianca secretly address Livia immediately after the Duke seduces her?

A. Damned bawd
B. Kind lady
C. Sweet sister
D. Old friend

A. Damned bawd.
Bianca turns to Livia and says in an aside, calling her a “damned bawd”.

28. What new trait has the Mother noticed in Bianca since the visit to Livia’s?

A. Grown so cutted
B. Become too quiet
C. Too religious
D. Too humble

A. Grown so cutted.
The Mother notices Bianca has “grown so cutted” and strange since her visit to Livia’s house.

29. What item does Bianca complain is missing from her bedchamber setup?

A. Casting-bottle
B. Green silk
C. Silver basin
D. Feather bed

A. Casting-bottle.
Bianca complains about the house’s defects, mentioning the missing cushion-cloth and silver casting-bottle.
30. What reason does the Mother suspect for Bianca’s sudden change in character?

A. That’s pride
B. Lack of money
C. New friends
D. Lustful thoughts

A. That’s pride.
The Mother speculates that Bianca’s sudden alteration is due to pride, which gave Lucifer a tumbling cast.

31. What does Bianca tell Leantio is the true “eye’s treasure”?

A. Change of objects
B. One thing still
C. Holy virtue
D. Hidden wealth

A. Change of objects.
Bianca instructs Leantio that the eye’s true treasure is “change of objects,” not gazing on one thing.

32. Who sends a messenger to Leantio’s house requesting Bianca’s company?

A. The Duke
B. Lady Livia
C. Hippolito
D. Guardiano

A. The Duke.
The messenger reveals he was sent by the Duke to fetch Bianca, causing Leantio to realize the betrayal.

33. What noble position is Leantio granted by the Duke after the seduction?

A. Captainship of fort
B. City poet
C. Duke’s guard
D. Royal servant

A. Captainship of fort.
The Duke rewards Leantio for his “good parts” by making him Captain of Rouans’ citadel.

34. Leantio compares his sudden preferment, sprung from sin, to crops growing in what environment?

A. Rotten’st grounds
B. Fertile hills
C. New soil
D. Shallow water

A. Rotten’st grounds.
Leantio bitterly notes that preferment born of sin shoots up quickly, like crops in the rottenest grounds.
35. What is the fate of Bianca’s mother-in-law after the Duke’s party?

A. She accepts the sin
B. She dies of grief
C. She is imprisoned
D. She seeks revenge

A. She accepts the sin.
The Mother quickly accepts the Duke’s plan, promising to fetch handkerchiefs to pocket sweetmeats.

36. What specific theme is Isabella’s song centered on during the banquet?

A. Cleave to some man
B. Foolish husband
C. Woman’s beauty
D. Marry the fool

A. Cleave to some man.
Isabella’s song notes a woman’s hard chance is being born to “cleave to some man” and give duty.

37. What sarcastic greeting does Leantio give Bianca when he visits her lavish new lodgings?

A. A bow i’th’ham
B. A low curtsy
C. A great praise
D. A kind word

A. A bow i’th’ham.
Leantio greets Bianca with sarcastic deference, offering a bow “i’th’ham to your greatness”.

38. What accusation does Leantio make against Bianca in her court lodgings?

A. Y’are a whore
B. A great fool
C. An ungrateful wife
D. A sinful servant

A. Y’are a whore.
Leantio confronts Bianca’s new status, calling her an “impudent, spiteful strumpet” and a whore.

39. Whose letter does Leantio display to Bianca to prove he is not love-starved?

A. Lady Livia’s
B. The Duke’s
C. Hippolito’s
D. His own mother’s

A. Lady Livia’s.
Leantio spitefully shows Bianca a letter from Lady Livia to prove he is not love-starved.
40. What action does the Duke take immediately upon hearing about Livia’s affair with Leantio?

A. Seek Hippolito
B. Ban Leantio
C. Confront Bianca
D. Send for the Cardinal

A. Seek Hippolito.
The Duke immediately sends a messenger to find Hippolito to execute revenge against Leantio.

41. What noble act does Hippolito vow to imitate, concerning Leantio’s life?

A. Cut the diseased part
B. Forgive his sin
C. Seek mercy
D. Speak honestly

A. Cut the diseased part.
Hippolito vows to imitate surgeons who put the sick patient to sleep before cutting the infected part.

42. What are Leantio’s final words, acknowledging the cause of his death?

A. False wife
B. My life’s wealth
C. Shame upon me
D. My sin

A. False wife.
Leantio dies, blaming Bianca, believing her lustful prayer allowed him to fall to his death.

43. What secret about Hippolito does Livia reveal in her rage over Leontius’s death?

A. Thy niece
B. Antonio’s wife
C. The Duchess
D. Bianca’s shame

A. Thy niece.
In a fit of rage and grief, Livia exposes the “black lust” that has been secretly running between Hippolito and his niece.

44. What does Isabella vow to practice upon Livia for betraying her honour?

A. Cruel cunning
B. True repentance
C. Quick death
D. Constant silence

A. Cruel cunning.
Isabella vows to practice “the like cruel cunning” upon Livia’s life for betraying her honour.
45. Who interrupts the Duke’s wedding ceremony to Bianca in a rage?

A. Lord Cardinal
B. Lord Fabritio
C. The Ward
D. Antonio

A. Lord Cardinal.
The Duke’s brother, the Cardinal, interrupts the nuptial ceremony, raging against the unlawful marriage.

46. What does the Cardinal compare the sins of a great man to?

A. Flame upon the mountain
B. Enclosed ground
C. Dark cloud
D. Deadly poison

A. Flame upon the mountain.
The Cardinal compares the sins of great men to a “flame upon a mountain,” seen far about.

47. What does Bianca criticise the Cardinal for lacking in his intense religious address?

A. Not charity written
B. True patience
C. Clear justice
D. Noble honesty

A. Not charity written.
Bianca criticises the Cardinal, noting that, amongst his virtues, charity is not visible in his words.

48. What item does Guardiano give the Ward to execute the murder plot?

A. This galtrop
B. A silver needle
C. A gold ring
D. A sharp dagger

A. This galtrop.
Guardiano instructs the Ward to secretly convey “this galtrop” into the trap-door for the intended victim.

49. What role does Livia play in the wedding masque invention?

A. Juno Pronuba
B. Slander
C. The Nymph
D. Hebe

A. Juno Pronuba.
Livia confirms that her role in the masque is Juno Pronuba, the goddess of marriage.
50. What final means does Bianca use to kill herself?

A. A cup of love
B. A dagger
C. Fire
D. Jumping down

A. A cup of love.
Bianca seizes the poisoned cup and drinks, “Tasting the same death in a cup of love”.

Brief Overview

Women Beware Women is a Jacobean tragedy by Thomas Middleton, published posthumously in 1657. The play is set in Florence and centers on themes of love, betrayal, and the corrosive effect of societal and patriarchal corruption on women.

The play opens with Leantio revealing his secret marriage to Bianca, whom he brought from his wealthy parents in Venice. Leantio must often leave for his duties as a factor. His Mother worries that Bianca needs sufficient financial maintenance. While Leantio is gone, the powerful Duke of Florence sees Bianca and desires her.

Lady Livia assists the Duke in seducing Bianca. Bianca quickly accepts the Duke’s wealth and honour, bitterly rejecting her poor husband as “a poor base start-up.”

Livia also helps her brother, Hippolito, who has a destructive, forbidden lust for his niece, Isabella. Livia falsely tells Isabella that she is not truly their niece, giving her a false excuse to pursue the relationship.

Leantio, deeply hurt by Bianca’s betrayal, retaliates by taking Livia as his mistress. When the Duke hears of this affair, he quickly tells Hippolito to seek revenge for Livia’s dishonor. Hippolito kills Leontius.

The tragic final act takes place during the Duke and Bianca’s wedding ceremony. Livia reveals the incestuous affair in a rage and is poisoned. Isabella, Hippolito, and Guardiano die in quick succession during a dramatic masque. Bianca poisons the Duke and then poisons herself, dying with him. The deaths are shown as the piteous, inevitable result of sin.

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