About which historical figure did Shakespeare write the famous line "Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety"?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Cleopatra

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
William Shakespeare's plays contain many famous lines that are often quoted in literature examinations. One well known line describes a woman whose charm and variety never fade with age or habit. This question asks which historical figure is being praised in that quotation.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The line given is "Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety".
  • It appears in one of Shakespeare's plays.
  • The options list four well known women from different times and fields, plus one additional historical queen.


Concept / Approach:
The line comes from the play "Antony and Cleopatra", where the character Enobarbus speaks about Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. He emphasises that her presence always feels fresh and captivating. Therefore the correct approach is to recognise the context as ancient Egypt rather than modern politics or social work.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall which Shakespeare play contains the line about infinite variety.Step 2: Identify that it belongs to "Antony and Cleopatra" and concerns the Egyptian queen.Step 3: Look at the options and pick Cleopatra as the only match for that role.Step 4: Eliminate modern figures such as Benazir Bhutto and Mother Teresa, who are unrelated to Shakespeare's works.


Verification / Alternative check:
Students can verify by remembering that Shakespeare often wrote historical plays about English royalty separately, such as those featuring Henry or Richard, whereas Antony and Cleopatra is set in the time of the Roman Empire and focuses on the relationship between Mark Antony and Cleopatra. No Shakespeare play features Benazir Bhutto, Mother Teresa or modern personalities, so Cleopatra clearly fits.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Benazir Bhutto was a twentieth century Prime Minister of Pakistan and is not a character in Shakespearean drama. Mother Teresa was a Catholic nun and humanitarian associated with Calcutta and is also far removed in time and background from the worlds Shakespeare wrote about. Madame Tussaud is known for the wax museum tradition, not for appearing in Elizabethan theatre. Queen Elizabeth I inspired Shakespeare's world but is not the subject of this particular line.


Common Pitfalls:
A few candidates may confuse Cleopatra with other powerful historical women such as Elizabeth I or simply pick a name they know better. Others may not read classic drama closely and rely only on general associations. A useful method is to connect memorable lines with the play titles and central characters during revision, which makes recall far easier in exams.


Final Answer:
The correct answer is Cleopatra.

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