Scores - Quiz 18 : Motley

Venkatesh - 1 (Cambridge Footlights)

Saravanan - 2 (Bofors, Cambridge Footlights)

Answers - Quiz 18 : Motley

1. Undesirable positions in battle or warfare.

Pic 1 shows the route of King Pyrrhus of Epirus (an ancient Greek state), a strong opponent of early Rome, during the Pyrrhic war (280-275 BC). Inspite of defeating Rome at Heraclea (280 BC) and Asculum (279 BC), the Epirean casualties amounted to vast numbers. This is an extract from Plutarch's report -

"The armies separated; and, it is said, Pyrrhus replied to one that gave him joy of his victory that one more such victory would utterly undo him."

The report is often quoted as "Another such victory and I come back to Epirus alone," or "If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined.", thus the term Pyrrhic Victory.

Pic 2 shows a Mexican Standoff from Reservoir Dogs. It is used as a popular substitute for a stalemate or a confrontation where neither side can win and is portrayed as two or more opponents with guns drawn and ready, creating a very tense situation.

Pic 3 shows Cadmus of Phoenicia who, according to legend, founded Thebes. The phrase Cadmean Victory is attributed to his decision to send his companions to slay a dragon snake guarding a spring from which he needed water for the city. He lost them all and eventually had to venture the task himself. Although Cadmus eventually proved victorious, the victory was at the cost of lives of those who were to benefit from the new settlement.

2. Bofors

Pic 1 shows Alfred Nobel who while heading Bofors, helped transform it from an iron and steel firm to an international arms manufacturer.

Pic 2 shows Ottavio Quattrocchi who is the middleman associated with the Bofors Scandal of India during Rajiv Gandhi's tenure.

3. Bajaj Discover's The Power of One Litre Ad series

The map points to a. Magnetic Hill or Gravity Hill, Leh, b. Jamboor, Gujarat and c. Mattur, Karnataka. These are the three places (among the many on their website) shown in the '100 kms from here ...' ad series for Bajaj Discover. The person in the picture is Rahul Bajaj.

4. Winning hands down

According to phrases.org.uk, jockeys need to keep a tight rein in order to encourage their horse to run. Anyone who is so far ahead that he can afford to slacken off and still win can drop his hands and loosen the reins - hence winning 'hands down'.

5. Cambridge Footlights

Pic 1 shows John Cleese, Graham Chapman and Eric Idle of Monty Python.

Pic 2 shows Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry.

Pic 3 shows Emma Thompson.

They were all members (at different times) of this theatre group in the early part of their careers.

Quiz 18 : Motley

Here's the next set. 5 questions.

1. The first pic depicts the proceedings of a war. The pic below is a still from Reservoir Dogs. The third pic is a painting depicting a Phoenician prince. Identify the commonality.

2. How are these two figures connected ?

3. Connect

4. What phrase is said to owe its origin to a practice similar to Aamir's pose in Rang De Basanti followed by some jockeys in horse racing ?

5. What institution / group is common to the six people (the three highlighted in the first pic and the other three) ?

Have fun !
Zed