How well do you know the work of these two tortured poets?
News and Events
How well do you know the work of these two tortured poets?
Test your knowledge: Lord Byron or Taylor Swift...

Our innovative products and services for learners, authors and customers are based on world-class research and are relevant, exciting and inspiring.
We unlock the potential of millions of people worldwide. Our assessments, publications and research spread knowledge, spark enquiry and aid understanding around the world.
was added to your bag.
Please try again.
Sorry, this item cannot be purchased in the same transaction as the existing items in your bag.
Please complete the purchase of the items currently in your bag and then add this item in a separate transaction or visit Shopping Help.
Sorry, this product is not currently available to buy online. Please visit Shopping Help.
Test your knowledge: Lord Byron or Taylor Swift...
19 April 2024
By Rosalind Moran
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?
Image of Taylor Swift. Credit: jazills, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Image of Taylor Swift. Credit: jazills, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
(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)
Test your knowledge: Lord Byron or Taylor Swift...
© 2025 Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Your email has been verified. You are now able to request access to teacher restricted resources. If you are a teacher, simply complete the teacher resource request form, and wait for your request to be validated.