Shakespeare or Scripture? Take Our Quiz!
“Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from the hills of Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of sheep 
just shorn, coming up from the washing” (Song of Songs 4:1-2). The Bible is filled with poetry. But how do we read through the metaphors and similes of Scripture? How does that change our interpretation of holy texts? How might seeing Scripture in a specific genre nourish our spirituality in new ways? Immanuel will consider these questions and more during our upcoming class, Poetry and the Bible: Would A Book By Any Other Name Smell As Sweet? October 2, 9, and 16 from 6:45 to 7:45 pm.
Yes, the Bible is replete with poetic devices, but can you tell the difference between poetic Biblical excerpts and quotes from William Shakespeare? To test your skills, we compiled a few excerpts of Shakespeare & Scripture. Try to guess which quotes are from the Bible and which ones are Shakespeare, then check the answer key below!
- “Can one desire too much of a good thing?”
- “A man after his own heart.”
- “Tempt not a desperate man.”
- “Give up the ghost.”
- “I must be cruel only to be kind.”
- “Cast thy bread upon the water.”
- “Cast your pearls before swine.”
- “The valiant never taste of death but once.”
- “He will give the devil his due.”
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Answer Key:
“Can one desire too much of a good thing?” -As You Like It
“A man after his own heart.” -1 Sam. 13:14
“Tempt not a desperate man.” -Romeo & Juliet
“Give up the ghost.” -Job 3:11
“I must be cruel only to be kind.” – Hamlet
“Cast thy bread upon the water.” -Ecclesiastes 11:1
“Cast your pearls before swine.” -Matthew 7:6
“The valiant never taste of death but once.” -Julius Caeser
“He will give the devil his due.” -King Henry IV
Featured image by tonynetone. License available here.