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Quiz about The Sonnets of William Shakespeare

The Sonnets of William Shakespeare Quiz

Shakespeare not only wrote great plays, but great poetry as well. This quiz will feature some of my favorite sonnets. Perhaps some are favorites of yours as well.

A multiple-choice quiz by dormouse99. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
dormouse99

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
72,789

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
398

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. This sonnet is probably one of Shakespeare's most famous, if not the most famous (period). It starts with the line 'Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?'. What number is it? Hint

Number 68

Number 115

Number 18

Number 27

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. How many lines make up a sonnet, traditionally? Hint

14 lines

13 lines

15 lines

16 lines

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Which sonnet describes love as 'the star to every wandering bark'? Hint

Sonnet 24

Sonnet 3

Sonnet 99

Sonnet 116

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. In Sonnet 105, what three adjectives does he use to describe the one he loves? Hint

'Beautiful, sweet, and kind'

'Fair, kind, and true'

'Rich, fair, and elegant'

'True, patient, and lovely'

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Which sonnet closes with the lines 'Love is a babe; then might I not say so, To give full growth to that which still doth grow'? Hint

Sonnet 132

Sonnet 45

Sonnet 115

Sonnet 12

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. 'A league is took' between which two body parts? Hint

'Eye and heart'

'Foot and mouth'

'Stomach and brain'

'Heart and brain'

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Question 7 of 10

7. What 'heats water'? Hint

'Passion's fire'

'Lust's fire'

'Love's fire'

'Desire's fire'

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. "My mistress' eyes are nothing like ________ . " Hint

the sun

the stars

diamonds

sapphires

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Which sonnet opens with the line 'What's in the brain, that ink may character'? Hint

Sonnet 151

Sonnet 83

Sonnet 56

Sonnet 108

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. How many winters are mentioned in Sonnet 2? Hint

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This sonnet is probably one of Shakespeare's most famous, if not the most famous (period). It starts with the line 'Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?'. What number is it?

Answer: Number 18

Indeed sonnet 18 is well known. It has been taught to many a literature class, and featured in many other places. For example, it was featured in the films 'Shakespeare In Love' (which makes a lot of sense), and 'Clueless'. I'm sure there are many many more.

2. How many lines make up a sonnet, traditionally?

Answer: 14 lines

A sonnet is ALWAYS 14 lines long.

3. Which sonnet describes love as 'the star to every wandering bark'?

Answer: Sonnet 116

Sonnet 116 is another of Shakespeare's more famous sonnets. It begins 'Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments.'

4. In Sonnet 105, what three adjectives does he use to describe the one he loves?

Answer: 'Fair, kind, and true'

'Fair, kind, and true, have often lived alone, Which three till now never kept seat in one' These are the closing lines of the sonnet, though these three words are also mentioned in lines ten and nine.

5. Which sonnet closes with the lines 'Love is a babe; then might I not say so, To give full growth to that which still doth grow'?

Answer: Sonnet 115

I love this sonnet so much. If you haven't read it, do. You won't regret it. It would be perfect for an anniversary card, and in fact, I put it on a card I made my grandparents for their 53rd anniversary.

6. 'A league is took' between which two body parts?

Answer: 'Eye and heart'

The first line of Sonnet 47 is 'Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took' and the closing lines are 'Or, if they sleep, thy picture in my sight Awakes my heart to heart's and eye's delight.' I just couldn't resist throwing foot and mouth in there with the other choices (lol).

7. What 'heats water'?

Answer: 'Love's fire'

The very last line of Sonnet 154 goes as follows: 'Love's fire heats water, water cools not love.'

8. "My mistress' eyes are nothing like ________ . "

Answer: the sun

'My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun' is the opening line to Sonnet 130 (another of Shakespeare's more well known sonnets).

9. Which sonnet opens with the line 'What's in the brain, that ink may character'?

Answer: Sonnet 108

The next line goes 'Which hath not figured to thee my true spirit?'

10. How many winters are mentioned in Sonnet 2?

Answer: 40

'When forty winters shall besiege thy brow' is the opening line to Sonnet 2.

Source: Author dormouse99

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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