Shakespeare's Sonnets Quiz

In Sonnet 116, the speaker argues that true love is constant and unchanging, despite the passage of time. The poem emphasizes the immortality of love and its ability to withstand the test of time. It suggests that beauty may fade with age, but true love remains unaffected by the physical changes that occur over time. Therefore, the correct answer is true, as the poem implies that beauty does fade over time.

The answer is "yes" because in Sonnet 130, the speaker describes the woman's physical appearance in a less-than-flattering way, highlighting her imperfections. However, despite these negative qualities, the speaker still loves her. This is evident in the final couplet of the sonnet, where the speaker declares that his love for her is rare and real, even though she may not possess the conventional beauty standards of the time.

Shakespeare attending the local University is considered true because there is evidence to support this claim. Historical records show that Shakespeare attended the King's New School in Stratford-upon-Avon, which was a grammar school that provided a solid education. Although there is no direct evidence of him attending a university, it is believed that he may have attended Oxford or Cambridge due to his extensive knowledge and use of classical literature in his works.

In Sonnet 130, Shakespeare describes his mistress using various unconventional and unflattering comparisons. He mentions that she shakes the ground when she moves, suggesting that she is heavy or clumsy. He also notes that she is very pale and lacks the rosy color in her cheeks, which was considered a sign of beauty during that time. Additionally, he implies that she has bad breath. The answer "All of the above" is correct because Shakespeare describes his mistress using all of these characteristics.

The theme at the beginning of Sonnet 30 is happy. This can be inferred from the overall tone and language used in the poem, which expresses joy and contentment. The speaker reflects on past sorrows and losses but ultimately finds solace and happiness in the memory of a loved one. The use of positive imagery and emotions throughout the sonnet supports the idea that the theme at the beginning is indeed happy.

The correct answer is summer because in Sonnet 73, the speaker uses imagery and metaphors to describe the aging process and compares it to the changing seasons. The poem begins with the line "That time of year thou mayst in me behold," which suggests that the poem is set in a specific season. Throughout the sonnet, the speaker uses imagery of trees losing their leaves and the fading warmth of a fire, which are commonly associated with the autumn and winter seasons. However, in the final couplet, the speaker mentions "Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang," which implies that the poem is set in the season of summer, as this is when birds typically sing.

In Sonnet 73, the man is compared to a fire because both the man and the fire share the characteristic of dying or coming to an end. The poem uses the metaphor of the dying fire to convey the theme of the passage of time and the inevitability of mortality. The man's aging and approaching death are likened to the gradual extinguishing of a fire, emphasizing the transient nature of life and the fleeting beauty of youth.

On 26 April 1564, William Shakespeare received his baptism at Holy Trinity in Stratford-Upon-Avon. It is customary to celebrate his birthday on 23 April, three days earlier, coinciding with St. George's Day.

The author is envious of everyone else's lives in Sonnet 29 because he feels isolated and rejected by society. He believes that others are more fortunate and have better relationships, wealth, and success. The author's feelings of envy stem from his own self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy, causing him to compare himself unfavorably to others. This envy highlights the author's longing for acceptance and a sense of belonging in a world that seems to have turned against him.

In sonnet 30, the speaker comes to the realization that everyone eventually dies. This realization may lead him to reflect on the brevity and fragility of life, prompting him to value and appreciate the present moment. The understanding of mortality can also evoke a sense of urgency to make the most out of life and find joy in the small and insignificant aspects of existence.

In Sonnet 116, an ever-fixed mark is referred to as a "star."

Shakespeare became a member of the King's Men when the theaters reopened.

In Sonnet 18, the speaker compares the beauty of the person they are addressing to a summer's day. However, they argue that the person's beauty surpasses that of summer because summer is fleeting and temporary. The eternal summer in this context represents the everlasting beauty and immortality of the person being described. It symbolizes the idea that their beauty will never fade or diminish, unlike the transient nature of summer.