Quizbowl Lit. Set 1

  • Hamlet (1601) – William Shakespeare Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, seeks revenge against his uncle Claudius, who has murdered Hamlet's father to seize the throne and marry Hamlet's mother. The play explores themes of madness, betrayal, and death, culminating in a tragic series of events.

  • Oedipus Rex (430 BC) – Sophocles Oedipus, King of Thebes, tries to avoid a prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother, only to discover that he has unwittingly fulfilled it. The play is a classic Greek tragedy, highlighting themes of fate, free will, and self-discovery.

  • Macbeth (1606) – William Shakespeare A Scottish nobleman, Macbeth, is driven to murder King Duncan by the prophecy of three witches and the urging of his wife. His subsequent descent into tyranny and madness leads to his downfall and death, as themes of ambition, guilt, and fate unfold.

  • King Lear (1605) – William Shakespeare King Lear divides his kingdom among his daughters based on their flattery, only to be betrayed by two of them. Stripped of power and descending into madness, Lear reflects on family, loyalty, and justice, leading to a tragic ending.

  • Othello (1622) – William Shakespeare Othello, a Moorish general, is manipulated by his envious ensign, Iago, into believing that his wife, Desdemona, has been unfaithful. Consumed by jealousy, Othello kills Desdemona before learning the truth and taking his own life.

  • The Tempest (1611) – William Shakespeare Prospero, a magician and rightful Duke of Milan, has been exiled to an island. With the help of his daughter Miranda and his magical powers, he conjures a storm to bring his usurpers to the island. Themes of revenge, forgiveness, and the supernatural play out as order is restored.

  • Moby-Dick (1851) – Herman Melville Captain Ahab is obsessed with hunting Moby Dick, a great white whale, after losing his leg to it. The novel, narrated by Ishmael, explores themes of obsession, nature, and humanity’s struggle against fate, culminating in a tragic final confrontation with the whale.

  • Don Quixote (1605) – Miguel de Cervantes An aging nobleman, Alonso Quixano, believes himself to be a knight named Don Quixote and sets out on absurd adventures with his loyal squire, Sancho Panza. The novel is a satire of chivalric romances, highlighting themes of reality versus illusion.

  • The Great Gatsby (1925) – F. Scott Fitzgerald Set in the Jazz Age, the novel follows the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby as he pursues his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. Narrated by Nick Carraway, the story critiques the American Dream and explores themes of wealth, class, and disillusionment.

  • Jane Eyre (1847) – Charlotte Brontë Orphaned and mistreated, Jane Eyre becomes a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she falls in love with its mysterious master, Mr. Rochester. The novel explores themes of social class, morality, and the quest for independence and equality in love.

  • Iliad (8th century BC) – Homer This epic poem focuses on the final weeks of the Trojan War, particularly the rage of Achilles, a great Greek warrior. Themes of honor, fate, and the human cost of war are central, as the gods influence mortal actions.

  • Pride and Prejudice (1813) – Jane Austen Elizabeth Bennet navigates issues of class, marriage, and morality in Regency-era England. Her complex relationship with Mr. Darcy forms the heart of the novel, which critiques societal expectations, especially regarding marriage and wealth.

  • 1984 (1948) – George Orwell Set in a dystopian future, Winston Smith rebels against the totalitarian regime of Big Brother, which controls every aspect of life. The novel explores themes of surveillance, censorship, and the manipulation of truth, warning about the dangers of totalitarianism.

  • Ulysses (1922) – James Joyce A modernist retelling of Homer’s Odyssey, Ulysses follows Leopold Bloom through a single day in Dublin. The novel is known for its stream-of-consciousness style and deep exploration of the human mind, with themes of identity, time, and history.

  • Romeo and Juliet (1594) – William Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet, two young lovers from feuding families, pursue their passion in secret, leading to misunderstandings and ultimately their tragic deaths. The play explores themes of love, fate, and family conflict.

  • Paradise Lost (1667) – John Milton This epic poem recounts the biblical story of Satan’s rebellion and the fall of man. Themes of free will, temptation, and redemption are central, as Adam and Eve’s disobedience brings sin into the world, and Satan’s pride leads to his damnation.

  • The Merchant of Venice (1596) – William Shakespeare The play centers on Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, who demands a pound of flesh as collateral for a loan. Themes of mercy, justice, and prejudice are explored as the conflict between Shylock and the merchant Antonio unfolds.

  • The Canterbury Tales (1387) – Geoffrey Chaucer A group of pilgrims tell stories to pass the time as they travel to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. Each tale reflects different social classes and moral lessons, with themes of love, power, and human folly woven throughout.