Real or Fake: Was This a Shakespeare Line?

William Shakespeare’s words have shaped the English language for over 400 years. From the most quoted plays to everyday expressions we use without thinking, his influence is everywhere. But how well do you really know what he wrote? In this quiz, you’ll be shown famous lines — some real, some not — and you’ll have to decide: was this actually written by Shakespeare, or is it a clever fake? Shakespeare wrote 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and two long narrative poems. His works cover love, power, betrayal, comedy, tragedy, and the human experience in all its complexity. Many phrases like “to be or not to be,” “all the world’s a stage,” or “what’s in a name” are instantly recognizable. But not every elegant or poetic-sounding line came from the Bard himself! Some are modern inventions, others misattributions, or inspired by the style of Elizabethan English. In this challenge, you’ll need to use your literary instincts. Some lines are obvious — classics everyone knows. Others sound Shakespearean but aren’t. A few might trip you up! Whether you’re a longtime fan of his work or just enjoy fun quizzes, this game will test your knowledge of one of the greatest writers in history. Ready to separate fact from fiction? Let’s play!
No. 1 /10
"To be, or not to be: that is the question."

Real - Shakespeare wrote this.
Fake - Not from Shakespeare.
Fake - A modern saying.
Fake - A movie quote.
No. 2 /10
"All that glitters is not gold."

Real - Shakespeare wrote this.
Fake - Not from Shakespeare.
Fake - A folk proverb.
Fake - A modern adaptation.
No. 3 /10
"To thine own self be true."

Real - Shakespeare wrote this.
Fake - Not from Shakespeare.
Fake - Modern misquote.
Fake - A modern greeting card line.
No. 4 /10
"Parting is such sweet sorrow."

Real - Shakespeare wrote this.
Fake - Not from Shakespeare.
Fake - From a Victorian novel.
Fake - A movie tagline.
No. 5 /10
"Though she be but little, she is fierce."

Real - Shakespeare wrote this.
Fake - Not from Shakespeare.
Fake - From a modern poem.
Fake - From a film script.
No. 6 /10
"Hell is empty and all the devils are here."

Real - Shakespeare wrote this.
Fake - Not from Shakespeare.
Fake - Modern internet quote.
Fake - Movie dialogue.
No. 7 /10
"This above all: to thine own self be true."

Real - Shakespeare wrote this.
Fake - Not from Shakespeare.
Fake - A proverb.
Fake - A misquote.
No. 8 /10
"If music be the food of love, play on."

Real - Shakespeare wrote this.
Fake - Not from Shakespeare.
Fake - Modern love song lyric.
Fake - Broadway line.
No. 9 /10
"Neither a borrower nor a lender be."

Real - Shakespeare wrote this.
Fake - Not from Shakespeare.
Fake - Modern proverb.
Fake - Victorian phrase.
No. 10 /10
"The lady doth protest too much, methinks."

Real - Shakespeare wrote this.
Fake - Not from Shakespeare.
Fake - Modern catchphrase.
Fake - TV script.
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