How well do you know the work of these two tortured poets?
Test your knowledge: Lord Byron or Taylor Swift...
Tortured poets come in many guises, and surprising overlaps can be found between classic works that explore similar themes, sentiments and ideas, even when written centuries apart.
As we celebrate the publication of Byron - A Life in Ten Letters, we are honouring not only the poetics of Lord Byron, a man whose words captured the hearts and imaginations of generations, but also contemporary poets whose works explore the human condition and illuminate many of the challenges and triumphs experienced by individuals over the course of their brief, yet luminous, existence.
We challenge you to test your knowledge of the poetic greats, past and present. Which tortured poet penned the following lines: Lord Byron, or Taylor Swift?
Lord Byron or Taylor Swift?
(Scroll to the end for the answers)
A) “I awoke one morning and found myself famous.”
B) “Friendship is love without his wings.”
C) “You understand now why they lost their minds and fought the wars, and why I’ve spent my whole life trying to put it into words.”
D) “I only go out to get me a fresh appetite for being alone.”
E) “Give, oh give me back my heart!”
F) “All’s well that ends well to end up with you.”
G) “Hundreds of years ago they fell in love like we did, and I’d die for you in the same way.”
H) “You took the time to memorize me.”
I) “I had a dream, which was not all a dream.”
J) “I snuck in through the garden gate, every night that summer just to seal my fate.”
K) “When we two parted in silence and tears, half brokenhearted, to sever for years.”
L) “I take this magnetic force of a man to be my lover.”
Answer key
A) “I awoke one morning and found myself famous.” (Lord Byron)
B) “Friendship is love without his wings” (Lord Byron)
C) “You understand now why they lost their minds and fought the wars, and why I’ve spent my whole life trying to put it into words.” (Taylor Swift)
D) “I only go out to get me a fresh appetite for being alone.” (Lord Byron)
E) “Give, oh give me back my heart!” (Lord Byron)
F) “All’s well that ends well to end up with you.” (Taylor Swift)
G) “Hundreds of years ago they fell in love like we did, and I’d die for you in the same way.” (Taylor Swift)
H) “You took the time to memorize me.” (Taylor Swift)
I) “I had a dream, which was not all a dream.” (Lord Byron)
J) “I snuck in through the garden gate, every night that summer just to seal my fate.” (Taylor Swift)
K) “When we two parted in silence and tears, half brokenhearted, to sever for years.” (Lord Byron)
L) “I take this magnetic force of a man to be my lover.” (Taylor Swift)
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