THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL - SHERIDAN

THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL - SHERIDAN

1.     I. Introduction and Overview

1. In the prologue, what does Garrick say about Sheridan?
   Answer: That he's fighting a losing battle.

2. What is Sheridan lampooning in this play?
   Answer: Gossip, malice, and hypocrisy.

3. Who are the scandal mongers?
   Answer: Lady Sneerwell, Mrs. Candour, and Crabtree.

4. How was scandal compared to?
   Answer: Hydra.

5. The characters indulging in scandal mongering are?
   Answer: Rich.

6. Where does the scandal mongers gather and spread scandals?
   Answer: Lady Sneerwell's house.

7. Who would like that law should be enacted against scandal mongers?
   Answer: Sir Peter Teazle.

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II. Main Characters and Their Roles

8. Who is the hero of the play?
   Answer: Charles Surface.

9. Who is the villain pretending to be virtuous?
   Answer: Joseph Surface.

10. Who does Maria love?
    Answer: Charles Surface.

11. Who is Lady Teazle's "lover"?
    Answer: Joseph Surface.

12. Who was the old friend of Oliver Surface?
    Answer: Sir Peter.

13. Who was the steward of the Surface brothers' father?
    Answer: Rowley.

14. Who suffered by marrying an old bachelor?
    Answer: Lady Teazle.

15. Who was worse than a bankrupt?
    Answer: Charles Surface.

16. Who is Sir Benjamin Backbite?
    Answer: Maria's so-called suitor; also Crabtree's nephew.

17. Who was Crabtree?
    Answer: Uncle of Sir Benjamin Backbite.

18. Who was a Jew?
    Answer: Moses.

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III. Lady Sneerwell and Her Circle

19. What did Lady Sneerwell’s scandals appear in?
    Answer: The Town and Country Magazine.

20. Why does Lady Sneerwell indulge in slander?
    Answer: Because she was once injured by slander and now enjoys causing others pain.

21. Who are Lady Sneerwell's cohorts in her slander plot against Charles?
    Answer: Snake and Joseph.

22. Lady Sneerwell is ready to sacrifice her wealth to win whom?
    Answer: Charles Surface.

23. Lady Sneerwell is a widow of a?
    Answer: Knight.

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IV. Sir Peter and Lady Teazle

24. Do the Teazles love each other?
    Answer: Yes, but they hide it and love to quarrel.

25. Why does Lady Teazle have a "lover"?
    Answer: It's fashionable.

26. Why is Joseph cozying up to Lady Teazle?
    Answer: To gain her support.

27. Who hides behind the screen to avoid detection?
    Answer: Lady Teazle.

28. What is the wish of Sir Peter Teazle?
    Answer: He wants Maria to marry Joseph Surface.

29. Who says, "When an old bachelor takes a tough wife, what is the who expect?"
    Answer: Sir Peter.

30. What does Snake do at Sir Peter's house?
    Answer: Drops a forged letter.

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V. Charles and Joseph Surface

31. Which painting does Charles refuse to sell?
    Answer: Sir Oliver Surface’s portrait.

32. Who called Sir Oliver Surface as "Little Premium" when he was in disguise?
    Answer: Trip.

33. Who proposed the plan that Sir Oliver may test Charles in disguise?
    Answer: Sir Peter.

34. What does Trip do that surprises Sir Oliver?
    Answer: He tries to raise some money.

35. Who does Sir Peter want Maria to marry?
    Answer: Joseph Surface.

36. Why does Rowley distrust Joseph?
    Answer: He thinks Joseph has too much sentiment.

37. Who was acting as a kind of guardian to Charles and Joseph after their father’s death?
    Answer: Sir Peter Teazle.

38. Where does Sir Peter hide when Charles visits Joseph?
    Answer: In the closet.

39. Who was loved by Maria?
    Answer: Charles Surface.

40. What is Joseph's argument to Lady Teazle as to why she should have an affair?
    Answer: She should sin in her own defense to save her reputation.

41. Which Surface brother is working with Lady Sneerwell?
    Answer: Joseph Surface.

42. Who said, “I'll trust myself; myself shall be my friend”?
    Answer: Joseph Surface.

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VI. Final Acts and Disguises

43. Who does not gather at the Teazle house to get information on the argument?
    Answer: Snake.

44. What does Snake wish the others at Joseph's house to keep secret?
    Answer: That he told the truth.

45. What does Joseph do to Sir Peter's plan for Maria?
    Answer: He pretends to agree but secretly pursues Maria for his own gain.

46. Who hides when Oliver Surface, disguised as Stanley, goes to Joseph's house?
    Answer: Joseph tries to conceal the situation.

47. Who is to marry at the end?
    Answer: Charles and Maria.

48. Where did Oliver live in India?
    Answer: Calcutta.

49. How many years had Oliver Surface been in India?
    Answer: 16 years.

50. Who enacts the plan to disguise Sir Oliver as Mr. Premium?
    Answer: Sir Peter.