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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)?
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.
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.
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…
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
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
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
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
_ 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.
The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the questions simply for your information.
The Admiral Benbow in Penzance, reportedly an inspiration for Stevenson’s Inn. Image Wikipedia
An inn featuring in the first chapter of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island is the…
Admiral Benbow—The narrator recounts the arrival of a mysterious seaman, the Captain, at the Admiral Benbow inn. The Captain, a silent and brooding figure, pays for a long stay and requests the narrator to keep watch for a one-legged seafarer. The narrator, haunted by dreams of this ominous figure, becomes entangled in the Captain’s web of secrecy and fear.
The view of destroyed interior of briefing room in Hitler’s headquatter Wolfsschanze near Rastenburg (Ketrzyn) in East Prussia. (from left to right Heinz Linge, Martin Bormann, Julius Schaub, Hermann Göring, Bruno Loerzer, unknown.) Image Wikipedia
In the film Valkyrie (2008) who do the German army officers plot to assassinate?
Adolf Hitler—During World War II, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise), disillusioned with Nazi Germany, joins the German Resistance. He proposes using Operation Valkyrie to seize power after assassinating Hitler, but the plan fails when Hitler survives the bomb attack. The plotters are arrested, and Stauffenberg, along with other leaders, is executed.
Alain Prost, 1990, US Grand Prix, Phoenix. Image Wikipedia
Who is missing from this chronological list of motor racing’s Formula 1 World Drivers’ Champions from the 1990s: Ayrton Senna, Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, …, Michael Schumacher, Michael Schumacher?
Alain Prost—nicknamed “the Professor”, is a French former racing driver who competed in Formula One from 1980 to 1993. He won four Formula One World Drivers’ Championship titles and held records for most wins, fastest laps and podium finishes at the time of his retirement. After retiring from Formula One, Prost competed in various racing series, including the FFSA GT Championship and the Andros Trophy, and was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1999.
Uluru/Ayers Rock. Image Wikipedia
In 1873, William Gosse became the first European to visit Uluru. What did he name it?
Ayers Rock—Uluru, a landmark in the Northern Territory, is known as Uluṟu by the local Aṉangu people. It was named Ayers Rock in 1873 after Sir Henry Ayers, but officially became Uluru/Ayers Rock in 1993 and Uluru/Ayers Rock in 2002.
Theseus slaying the Minotaur by Bayre. Image Wikipedia
In Greek myth, which daughter of King Minos helped Theseus escape the Labyrinth?
Ariadne—Ariadne, a Cretan princess, helped Theseus escape the Minotaur but was abandoned on Naxos. There, Dionysus fell in love with her, married her, and created the Corona Borealis constellation.
