Shakespeare Scene Puzzles
My wife, Hildegard, sings in the Worcester Chorus. Her close friend and fellow soprano, Virginia Mason Vaughan, Professor of English at Clark University, Worcester, MA, is a preeminent Shakespearean scholar having authored books on several plays and themes of Shakespeare. What better excuse to start collecting puzzles depicting scenes from Shakespeare! Professor Vaughan has assisted in scene identifications.
19 puzzles in this collection
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Anthony and CleopatraPicture Puzzle Exchange puzzle cut 1920/30 by Isabel Ayer, Boston, MA, plywood, non-interlocking, extensive color line cutting. From "Anthony and Cleopatra" Act I, Scene 3. As Anthony takes his leave of Cleopatra to return to Rome, he promises, "And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee". Scene selected by George Lyman Kittredge, Harvard U. Artist: Edward A. Wilson. |
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As You Like ItMade 1930s by Madmar Quality Co, Utica, NY, plywood, interlocking. From "As You Like It" Act II in which Rosalind appears in the forest of Arden disguised as a young page, accompanied by her friend Celia who wears the clothes of a shepherdess. Artist: unknown. |
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As You Like ItJolly Jigsaws puzzle made by Don Simonds, Winchester, MA, 1930s; plywood; interlocking; color line cut. Very colorful and well done depiction by unknown artist of Act II, Scene 4 when Rosalind (disguised as a young page named Ganymede), Celia (disguised as a country girl named Aliena), and Touchstone the Clown enter the Forest of Arden. They are exhausted from traveling and stop to rest. |
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General: An Elizabethan Theatre (Period)Victory Artistic puzzle made 1930s by G.J. Hayter & Co, Bourmemouth, England, plywood, interlocking, 27 figure pieces. An outdoor theatre similar to the Globe where Shakespeare's plays were performed. Artist: J. Beaven? |
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General: Shakespeare Presenting His Play before Queen ElizabethCut 1910/20 by unknown English maker, solid wood, interlocking. According to Professor Vaughan Shakespeare and his fellow actors performed their work before the Queen, but we don't really know that he read anything to her, although it is certainly a possibility. |
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HamletNote the great similarity between this scene and the "Hamlet-Frighted with False Fire" also displayed in this section. Artist(s) for both scenes is unknown but I suspect it is the same person. Scene is the famous "play within a play" from Act III in which Hamlet has arranged for a group of traveling players to reenact Hamlet's suspicions that his father was murdered by his uncle to claim the throne and marry his mother. A Picture Puzzle Exchange puzzle made by Isabel Ayer, Boston, MA, probably late in her career in the 1930s. Plywood, non-interlocking, cut extensively along color lines with 14 figure pieces (unusual for her). |
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Hamlet-OpheliaPastime puzzle made by Parker Brothers in 1912, plywood, semi-interlocking, cut along color lines with 76 figure pieces. From Act 4, Scene 5 in which Ophelia enters before Gertrude and Claudius with flowers in her hair, singing fragments of bawdy songs and appearing quite mad; the figure trying to console her is her brother, Laertes, who enters halfway through the scene; Hamlet is off in England. Terrific scene and colors, especially the red wall carpet with design in background. Artist: unknown. |
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Hamlet: Frighted with False FireMade 1910/20s by Zigzag Puzzle Co, London, England, solid wood, interlocking. From "Hamlet" Act III, Scene 2. King Claudius is visibly shaken by Hamlet's "Mousetrap," a play within the play depicting a murder similar to the one Claudius had committed. Artist: unknown, but scene is very similar to "Hamlet" displayed in this section and probably by the same artist. |
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Henry V: Katherine & King HenryMade 1930s by Pompton Woodworking, Pompton Lakes, NJ, plywood, interlocking. From "Henry V" Act V, Scene II in which Henry V of England woos Princess Katherine of France. Even though he has already been awarded her hand as part of the treaty negotiations following the Battle of Agincourt, he wants her affection as well as her person. Artist: H. Bacon. |
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Midsummer Nights Dream: TitaniaPicture Puzzle Exchange puzzle cut circa 1937 by Isabel Ayer, Boston, MA, plywood, non-interlocking, extensive color line cutting. From "Midsummer Nights Dream" Act II, Scene 1. Titania and Oberon, the Queen and King of the Fairies, who have been quarreling, confront each other in the forest outside of Athens; Oberon greets his wife with "Ill met by moonlight, proud Titania". Scene selected by George Lyman Kittredge, Harvard U. Artist: Edward A. Wilson. |
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Othello & DesdemonaLibrary puzzle made 1930s by Leisure Moment Puzzle Co, Winsted, CT, masonite, semi-interlocking. From "Othello" Act I, Scene 3 in which Othello appears before the Venetian Senate to defend his right to marry Desdemona despite her father's disapproval. Artist: Paul Ha____ |
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Othello Before the DogesPastime puzzle made 1928c. by Parker Brothers, Salem, MA, plywood, interlocking, color line cutting, 48 figure pieces. From "Othello" Act I, Scene 3. The Doge was the Duke of Venice, who with his Council here consider Brabantio's petition that Othello's marriage to Desdemona be nullified. Artist: unknown. |
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Othello: Planting the EvidencePicture Puzzle Exchange puzzle cut 1910s by Isabel Ayer, Boston, MA, plywood, non-interlocking, extensive color line cutting. Artist's version of "Othello" Act III, Scene 3 (the handkerchief scene) in which Desdemona accidentally drops her handkerchief, found by Emilia who gives it to Iago. Very difficult puzzle, wonderful artwork! Artist: unknown. |
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Romeo & Juliet: But Soft: What Light Through Yonder Window BreaksPastime puzzle made in 1927 by Parker Brothers, Salem, MA, plywood, semi-interlocking, color line cutting, 13 figure pieces. From "Romeo & Juliet" Act II (balcony scene) in which Juliet looks out over her balcony and confesses her love for Romeo, unaware that he is standing below. Artist: unknown, but a terrific picture anyways! |
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Romeo and JulietPicture Puzzle Exchange puzzle cut in 1920/30 by Isabel Ayer, Boston, MA, plywood, non-interlocking, extensive color line cutting. From Act II, "Romeo and Juliet" in which Romeo appears below Juliet's balcony carrying a guitar, as if he means to serenade her. I am skeptical of this modern depiction of the balcony scene, but cutting is superb! Artist: unknown. |
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Taming of the ShrewMade 1930s by Madmar Quality Co, Utica, NY, plywood, interlocking. From "The Taming of the Shrew" Act II, Scene 1. Petruchio finds Katherine intriquing when he first meets her even though she treats him with her usual shrewish temper. Artist: M. L. Kirk. |
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Taming of the ShrewCut 1920s by unknown maker in England, plywood, semi-interlocking, color line cutting. From "The Taming of the Shrew", probably Act II, Scene 1. The wedding ceremony concluded, Petruchio lifts Kate onto his shoulders and threatens anyone who might try to stop him as he carries his protesting wife away. A dramatic depiction by artist: A. Morrow. |
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Taming of the Shrew-Petruchio and Katherina-After the WeddingA “Unique” or “Unrivaled” puzzle made by American Specialty Co, New York, NY in 1909c; solid wood; non-interlocking; some color line cutting. Artist: Frances Brunaage. Note: the scene depicts children playing the lead roles of Petruchio and Katherina, perhaps reflecting the artist’s opinion that the wife-taming husband and the shrewish wife are both acting like children. |
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Twelfth NightA Jolly Jigsaws puzzle made by Don Simonds, Winchester, MA in the 1930s; plywood; cut partially along color lines with 3 figure pieces. The scene is from Act 3, scene 4, in which Malvolio (left) has been tricked by Mario (center) and others into wearing yellow stockings, cross gartered, in order to “impress” Olivia (right), who actually detests the fashion. |