Which statements about William Shakespeare’s sonnets are true? Select four options.

Question

They have a fixed rhyme scheme and structure.
They were the first sonnets ever to be written.
They often present a question and an answer.
They often present a problem and a solution.
They were originally written in Italian.
They frequently focus upon love and romance.

Answer 1

The true statements about William Shakespeare’s sonnets are:

1. They have a fixed rhyme scheme and structure.
2. They often present a question and an answer.
3. They often present a problem and a solution.
4. They frequently focus upon love and romance.

The statements that are not true are:

• They were the first sonnets ever to be written (false, as the sonnet form originated with Petrarch in Italy).
• They were originally written in Italian (false, as Shakespeare wrote them in English).