Quizology.Online

Tag: myth

  • Mothers—Answers

    Here are the answers for the questions I posted earlier.

    Sylvia’s Mother, Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show.
    Image CD and LP

    One

    Mrs Avery is the title character in which 1972 song by Dr. Hook; and what was the full name of the band at the time of the original release?

    Answer: Sylvia’s Mother and Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show

    Sylvia’s Mother, written by Shel Silverstein and originally performed by Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, was their first hit. It reached number five on the Billboard singles chart and topped charts in several countries. The band kept this name until 1975 when they shortened it to Dr. Hook.

    Thetis Dipping the Infant Achilles into the River Styx by Peter Paul Rubens (c. 1625);
    Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam.
    Image Wikipedia

    Two

    Achilles was dipped into which river by his mother to make him invulnerable?

    Answer: Styx

    Legend claims Achilles was invulnerable except for his heel, which his mother held while dipping him in the River Styx. Achilles heel, a term derived from this, signifies a vulnerable point despite overall strength. The Achilles tendon is also named after this legend.

    Adolf Hitler: My Part in his Downfall by Spike Milligan.
    Image Libris

    Three

    September 3rd, 1939. The last minutes of peace ticking away. Father and I were watching Mother digging our air-raid shelter.

    The opening lines of a novel first published in 1971 are quoted above. Can you name the novel and its author?

    Answer: Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall by Spike Milligan

    Spike Milligan’s war memoir, Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall, recounts his experiences from Britain’s declaration of war to the Allied liberation of Africa. The book, the first of seven volumes, blends anecdotes, photographs and sketches.

    Alyson Hannigan as Lily Aldrin.
    Image Alchetron

    Four

    Who plays Lily on television’s How I Met Your Mother?

    Answer: Alyson Hannigan

    Lily Aldrin, portrayed by Alyson Hannigan, is a fictional character in How I Met Your Mother. She is a kindergarten teacher, amateur painter, and later becomes an art consultant.

    Statue of Helena in the Musei Capitolini, Rome.
    Image Wikipedia

    Five

    Evelyn Waugh’s 1950 novel Helena is about the mother of which 4th-century Roman emperor?

    Answer: Constantine I or Constantine the Great

    Flavia Julia Helena, also known as Saint Helena, was a Roman Augusta and mother of Emperor Constantine the Great. Revered as a saint, she is believed to have discovered the True Cross during a religious tour.

    Statue of Constantine I in York, England.
    Near the spot where he was proclaimed Augustus in 306 CE.
    Image Wikipedia

  • Mothers

    All of today’s questions are related to Mothers in one way or another.

    See question 2. Thetis Dipping the Infant Achilles into the —— by Peter Paul Rubens c. 1625; Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Mrs Avery is the title character in which 1972 song by Dr. Hook; and what was the full name of the band at the time of the original release?

    Two

    Achilles was dipped into which river by his mother to make him invulnerable?

    Three

    September 3rd, 1939. The last minutes of peace ticking away. Father and I were watching Mother digging our air-raid shelter.

    The opening lines of a novel first published in 1971 are quoted above. What novel and who was the author?

    Four

    Who plays Lily on television’s How I Met Your Mother?

    Five

    Evelyn Waugh’s 1950 novel Helena is about the mother of which 4th-century Roman emperor?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later today.

  • Ancient Myths continued | Answers

    The answers to my earlier post are shown below.

    One

    Avro Vulcan.
    Image Wikipedia

    What former Royal Air Force aircraft is pictured?

    Answer: Vulcan (Avro Vulcan)

    The Avro Vulcan, a jet-powered, tailless, delta-wing bomber, was operated by the RAF from 1956 to 1984. It served as the backbone of the UK’s airborne nuclear deterrent during the Cold War and was later adapted for maritime reconnaissance and aerial refuelling.
    Vulcan, the Roman god of fire, volcanoes, deserts, metalworking and the forge, is often depicted with a blacksmith’s hammer. His Greek counterpart is Hephaestus, and his Etruscan counterpart is Sethlans.

    Two

    King Neptune, SpongeBob SquarePants.
    Image Pinterest

    Can you name a powerful, trident-wielding merman from SpongeBob SquarePants?

    Answer: King Neptune

    In SpongeBob SquarePants King Neptune, a powerful merman god, rules the sea from Atlantis with his wife and son. He is portrayed as arrogant and selfish, but is a fan of Patrick Star, releasing the Star family from trespassing charges and moving his ball to their house.
    In mythology, Neptune, the Roman god of freshwater and the sea, is the counterpart of the Greek god Poseidon. He is associated with horses and horse-racing, and his festival, Neptunalia, is celebrated on July 23rd.

    Three

    Ulysses/Bloomsday Map of Dublin.
    Image Pinterest

    Stately, plump Buck Mulligan came from the stairhead, bearing a bowl of lather on which a mirror and a razor lay crossed. A yellow dressinggown, ungirdled, was sustained gently behind him on the mild morning air. He held the bowl aloft and intoned:
    —Introibo ad altare Dei.

    The opening words of a novel are quoted above. What is this work that chronicles the events of a single day, the 16 June 1904?

    Answer: Ulysses

    Ulysses, a modernist novel by James Joyce, chronicles the experiences of three Dubliners on 16 June 1904. The novel, published in 1922, parallels the Odyssey and explores themes of antisemitism, sexuality, British rule, Catholicism and Irish nationalism. Bloomsday, celebrated annually on 16 June, commemorates the life of Irish writer James Joyce. The day is named after Leopold Bloom, the protagonist Ulysses, and the events of the novel take place on this date.
    Odysseus (Roman Ulysses), the legendary Greek king of Ithaca, is the hero of Homer’s epic poem, the Odyssey. He is known for his cunning and intelligence, and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War.

    Four

    Pouring liquid mercury (Hg).
    Image Wikipedia


    Quicksilver is connected to this United States human spaceflight programme (1958–1963): Project…

    Answer: (Project) Mercury

    Quicksilver is defined as ‘the liquid metal mercury’.
    Project Mercury, the first US human spaceflight programme, ran from 1958 to 1963. It conducted 26 flights, six with astronauts, and cost $2.76 billion.
    Mercury is a major Roman god, associated with commerce, communication, travellers and thieves. He is the son of Maia and Jupiter, and is often depicted holding the caduceus, a staff with intertwined snakes.

    Five

    Archaeological Museum in Herakleion. Statue of Isis-Persephone holding a sistrum. Temple of the Egyptian gods, Gortyn. Roman period (180-190 C.E.).
    Image Wikipedia

    PRONE SHEEP

    …can be rearranged to give the name of a daughter of Zeus and Demeter. She was abducted by Hades and became the queen of the underworld. Who is she?

    Answer: Persephone

    In Greek mythology, Persephone, the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, became the queen of the underworld after being abducted by her uncle Hades. Her myth symbolises spring and vegetation, representing the eternal cycle of life and death.

  • Ancient Myths continued

    Today, we’ll have a few more questions about ancient Greek and Roman myth, with each answer featuring an ancient mythical figure.

    One

    Image Wikipedia

    What former Royal Air Force aircraft is pictured?

    Two

    Can you name a powerful, trident-wielding merman from SpongeBob SquarePants?

    Three

    Stately, plump Buck Mulligan came from the stairhead, bearing a bowl of lather on which a mirror and a razor lay crossed. A yellow dressinggown, ungirdled, was sustained gently behind him on the mild morning air. He held the bowl aloft and intoned:
    —Introibo ad altare Dei.

    The opening words of a novel are quoted above. What is this work that chronicles the events of a single day, June 16th, 1904?

    Four

    Quicksilver is connected to this United States human spaceflight programme (1958–1963): Project…

    Five

    PRONE SHEEP

    …can be rearranged to give the name of a daughter of Zeus and Demeter. She was abducted by Hades and became the queen of the underworld. Who is she?

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

  • Mount Olympus meets Hollywood | Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions posted earlier today.

    One

    Minerva McGonagall.
    Image harrypotter.com

    What is the first name of Professor McGonagall, a staff member at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? 

    Answer: Minerva

    Maggie Smith portrayed Minerva McGonagall in seven Harry Potter films, enjoying the franchise for bonding with her grandchildren.

    Minerva is the Roman goddess of wisdom, justice, law, victory and the arts. She is often depicted with her sacred creature, an owl, and is revered as a symbol of wisdom and knowledge.

    Two

    Lyra Belacqua and Pantalaimon or ‘Pan’.
    Image BBC

    In the 2007 film, The Golden Compass, Lyra Belacqua has a short pet name for her dæmon. What is it?

    Answer: Pan

    Lyra’s dæmon is named Pantalaimon but she generally shortens this to Pan.

    Pan, the Greek god of shepherds and goatherds, originated in Arcadia and was worshipped in caves. He is depicted as a lecherous figure who roams the mountains and plays the syrinx.

    Three

    The Poseidon Adventure.
    Image the MovieDB

    Released on 12 December 1972, this disaster film featured Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Jack Albertson, Shelley Winters and Red Buttons. What was its title?

    Answer: The Poseidon Adventure

    The Poseidon Adventure is a disaster film about a luxury liner capsized by a tsunami. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $125 million worldwide and winning two Academy Awards.

    Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, earthquakes and horses, was worshipped in coastal and inland areas. He is the son of Cronus and Rhea, brother of Zeus and Hades and husband of Amphitrite.

    Four

    The Martian.
    Image Disney.

    In Ridley Scott’s 2015 film, Dr. Mark Watney becomes stranded. But where is he stranded? 

    Answer: Mars

    In The Martian, Matt Damon plays Dr. Mark Watney, an astronaut stranded on Mars after being presumed dead.

    Mars is the Roman god of war and agriculture, embodying the dual role of protecting the Roman people and securing peace through military power. He is the son of Jupiter and Juno, and father of Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome.

    Five

    Die Hard with a Vengeance.
    Image MovieDB

    What was Samuel L. Jackson’s character name in Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)?

    Answer: Zeus Carver

    Zeus Carver, a resourceful shopkeeper, reluctantly assists John McClane, forming a love-hate relationshipship as his ingenuity helps solve Gruber’s puzzles.

    Zeus, the king of the Greek gods, is the most powerful deity and the only one of Indo-European origin. He overthrew his father Cronus and the Titans in the Titanomachy, becoming the father of many heroes and progenitors of prominent family lines.

  • Mount Olympus meets Hollywood 

    Today’s film-related questions all share a connection: each answer features a deity from Greek or Roman mythology.

    Hogwarts castle at Universal Islands of Adventure amusement park in Orlando, Florida. Image Wikipedia

    One

    What is the first name of Professor McGonagall, a staff member at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? 

    Two

    In the 2007 film, The Golden Compass, Lyra Belacqua has a short pet name for her dæmon. What is it?

    Three

    Released on 12 December 1972, this disaster film featured Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Jack Albertson, Shelley Winters and Red Buttons. What was its title?

    Four

    In Ridley Scott’s 2015 film, Dr. Mark Watney becomes stranded. But where is he stranded?

    Five

    What was Samuel L. Jackson’s character name in Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)?

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

  • R is for… | Answers

    The answers to my earlier post are shown highlighted below.

    One

    Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,
    Great chieftain o’ the pudding-race!
    Aboon them a’ yet tak your place,
    Painch, tripe, or thairm:
    Weel are ye wordy o’a grace
    As lang’s my arm.

    – the opening stanza of Address to a Haggis
    Reproduced from Burns Country.

    Identify the poet who wrote the above, and who, or what is the ‘Great chieftain o’ the pudding-race!’ that is referred to?

    Answer: Robert Burns and Haggis

    Address to a Haggis is a Scots language poem by Scottish poet, Robert Burns. One of the more well known Scottish poems, the title refers to the national dish of Scotland, haggis, which is a savoury pudding. The poem is most often recited at Burns suppers, a Scottish cultural event celebrating the life of Robert Burns where everybody stands as the haggis is brought in on a silver salver whilst a bagpiper will lead the way towards the host’s table. The host or a guest will then recite the poem while slicing open the haggis at the right moment with a ceremonial knife. The full poem is available, with translations to English and other languages, on Burns Country.

    Robert Burns, Scottish poet and lyricist.
    Portrait by Alexander Nasmyth.
    Image Wikipedia

    Two

    In what urban location do the games in the Resident Evil series take place?

    Answer: Raccoon City

    Raccoon City, the setting of the Resident Evil series, was chosen to evoke a sense of American horror. Inspired by George A. Romero’s zombie films, the name was intended to connect with the Western audience.

    Three

    Hydrophobia is defined as 

    extreme or irrational fear of water, especially as a symptom of _ in humans.

    What word is missing from the above definition?

    Answer: Rabies

    Rabies is a viral disease causing encephalitis in humans and mammals, characterised by fever, abnormal sensations, and later, fear of water, confusion and loss of consciousness. The incubation period is usually one to three months but can vary.

    Statue of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest.
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    Sir Guy of Gisbourne is featured in the legends of which English folk hero?

    Answer: Robin Hood

    Originally, Sir Guy of Gisbourne, a hired assassin, attempted to kill Robin Hood but was defeated in a fight. Later depictions portray him as a romantic rival for Maid Marian’s love.

    Five

    Max Cady, a character in the 1991 film Cape Fear, was played by…

    Answer: Robert De Niro

    Max Cady, the antagonist in John D. MacDonald’s novel The Executioners, is a criminal with a grudge against attorney Sam Bowden, who sent him to prison for rape. After his release, Cady terrorises Bowden and his family, seeking revenge for his imprisonment and the loss of his wife and child. The character was played by Robert Mitchum in the 1962 film of the same name.

  • R is for…

    The alphabet theme continues with some questions where all the answers begin with ‘R’.

    One

    Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,
    Great chieftain o’ the pudding-race!
    Aboon them a’ yet tak your place,
    Painch, tripe, or thairm:
    Weel are ye wordy o’a grace
    As lang’s my arm.

    Identify the poet who wrote the above, and who, or what is the ‘Great chieftain o’ the pudding-race!’ that is referred to?

    Two

    In what urban location do the games in the Resident Evil series take place?

    Three

    Hydrophobia is defined as 

    extreme or irrational fear of water, especially as a symptom of _ in humans.

    What word is missing from the above definition?

    Four

    Sir Guy of Gisbourne is featured in the legends of which English folk hero?

    Five

    Max Cady, a character in the 1991 film Cape Fear, was played by…

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

  • H is for… | Answers

    The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the questions simply for your information.

    National flag of Haiti.
    Image is from CRW Flags
    1. Added to the Liechtenstein flag in 1937 the prince’s crown distinguishes it from what other national flag?
      • Haiti—Liechtenstein’s flag, originally plain blue and red, was changed in 1937 to include a golden crown to avoid confusion with Haiti’s flag. The fact that both were identical had been first noticed at the previous summer’s Olympic games.
        Haiku.
        Image Pinterest
    2. In Japanese literature what is an unrhymed poetic form consisting of 17 syllables arranged in three lines of 5, 7 and 5 syllables respectively.
      • Haiku—is an unrhymed poetic form consisting of 17 syllables arranged in three lines with a pattern of 5, 7 and 5 syllables. Traditionally, it evokes images of the natural world.
        Happy Mondays.
        Image Pinterest
    3. The original line-up of what band included the brothers Shaun and Paul Ryder?
      • Happy Mondays—an English rock band from Salford, pioneered the Madchester sound by blending Manchester alternative rock with funk, house and psychedelia. They achieved commercial success with albums like Pills ’n’ Thrills and Bellyaches before disbanding in 1993. They have since reunited several times with variations in the line-up.
        Flyer for the 1979 stage production of The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy.
        Image Wikipedia
    4. In The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Galactic President Zaphod Beeblebrox steals a prototype spacecraft. What was it named?
      • Heart of Gold—Arthur Dent, the protagonist of the stories, and his friend Ford Prefect are improbably rescued from interstellar space by the Heart of Gold, stolen by Zaphod Beeblebrox. The ship, powered by the infinite improbability drive, carries Trillian (Tricia McMillan, also from Earth) and the depressed Marvin, the Paranoid Android. Eventually, the ship moves into orbit around the legendary planet of Magrathea.
        Hercules and the Wagoner or Hercules and the Carter.
        Image is from Fables of Aesop
    5. _ and the Wagoner is one of Aesop’s Fables. What mythical hero’s name is missing from the title?
      • Hercules—Hercules and the Wagoner. A Wagoner, stuck in the mud, prayed to Hercules for help. Hercules appeared and advised the Wagoner to help himself by pushing the wagon. Aesop’s Fables, initially aimed at adults, have been adapted for children and reinterpreted over time. The fables, covering religious, social and political themes, have been adapted into various media, reinforcing their ethical dimension and enduring popularity.

  • H is for…

    A few questions where all the answers begin with ‘H’. As you know the starting letter, there are no multiple-choice options.

    Flag of Liechtenstein.
    Image Wikipedia
    1. Added to the Liechtenstein flag in 1937 the prince’s crown distinguishes it from what other national flag?
    2. In Japanese literature what is an unrhymed poetic form consisting of 17 syllables arranged in three lines of 5, 7 and 5 syllables respectively?
    3. The original line-up of what band included the brothers Shaun and Paul Ryder?
    4. In The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Galactic President Zaphod Beeblebrox steals a prototype spacecraft. What was it named?
    5. ___ and the Wagoner is one of Aesop’s Fables. What mythical hero’s name is missing from the title?

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.