Who Said It: Taylor Swift or Shakespeare?

Take this quiz to test your knowledge!

Shakespeare is a literary icon, and Taylor Swift is a lyrical genius. When put to the test, can you tell who wrote what?

Take this quiz to find out if you have what it takes to tell the difference between Shakespeare’s profound quotes and Taylor Swift's musical masterpieces.

Cartoon silhouettes of Shakespeare and Taylor Swift side-by-side.

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Questions Overview

1. “Why then, can one desire too much of a good thing?”
  1. Taylor Swift
  2. Shakespeare
2. “On the very moment all was lost.”
  1. Taylor Swift
  2. Shakespeare
3. “Lord, what will become of me once I’ve lost my novelty?”
  1. Taylor Swift
  2. Shakespeare
4. “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.”
  1. Taylor Swift
  2. Shakespeare
5. “Your faithless love’s the only hoax I believe in.”
  1. Taylor Swift
  2. Shakespeare
6. “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.”
  1. Taylor Swift
  2. Shakespeare
7. “Clover blooms in the fields. Spring breaks loose, the time is near.”
  1. Taylor Swift
  2. Shakespeare
8. “I pray you do not fall in love with me.”
  1. Taylor Swift
  2. Shakespeare
9. “This is the last time I’m asking you why you break my heart in the blink of an eye.”
  1. Taylor Swift
  2. Shakespeare
10. “What’s done can’t be undone.”
  1. Taylor Swift
  2. Shakespeare
11. “The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief.”
  1. Taylor Swift
  2. Shakespeare
12. “All we are is skin and bone, trained to get along, forever going.”
  1. Taylor Swift
  2. Shakespeare

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Why Is Taylor Swift Compared to Shakespeare?

If you’re a Swiftie or Shakespeare fan, you’ve likely heard the names Taylor Swift and William Shakespeare in the same sentence before. The media and literary enthusiasts like to compare the two writers and their works. But why is that? Well, it all comes down to lyricism.

Taylor Swift is a songwriter, compiling individual stories into a bigger picture with her albums. Shakespeare is a poet and playwright, leaving behind an artistic legacy with his collection of sonnets and profound plays like Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet. Shakespeare and Swift both use imaginative and unique writing or literary devices to convey emotions and illustrate a story. For example, Swift’s song “Maroon” is a metaphorical representation of a passionate and quick love. Similarly, Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 73” is a metaphor for age, comparing the process of aging with elements of nature. The song and sonnet can be analyzed under the same lens as they both use metaphors to describe deeper feelings and themes.

Because of these similarities, many universities and colleges around the world have started offering “Taylor Swift x Shakespeare” courses, where Swift’s songs are taught alongside Shakespeare’s works. The premise isn’t to suggest that one writer is better than the other, but to emphasize how and why certain literary devices and writing styles resonate deeply with audiences. For instance, a young girl today may resonate with Swift’s “Love Story” the same way a girl resonated with Romeo and Juliet in 1597.

At the end of the day, William Shakespeare and Taylor Swift are both brilliant poets. Whether you enjoy their works or not, there’s no denying that they both have talent and a flair for words.


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