Who wrote 'The Passionate Shepherd to his Love'?

• A. Christopher Marlowe
• B. John Donne
• C. Ben Jonson
• D. George Chapman

Answer: (A)

Authorship attribution of an Elizabethan lyric. The Passionate Shepherd to His Love is traditionally credited to Christopher Marlowe, a contemporary of Shakespeare known for bold, elevated diction and dramatic rhythm. The poem’s inviting, idealized plea—“Come live with me and be my love”—paired with lush pastoral imagery and a brisk, resonant cadence, fits Marlowe’s style and the era’s pastoral lyric tradition. Historically, it appears in collections associated with Marlowe (like The Passionate Pilgrim), and scholars often point to linguistic and metrical features that align with his work, supporting this attribution. In contrast, the other writers listed are known for very different kinds of poetry or dramatic voice—Donne for metaphysical complexity, Jonson for polished classical wit, and Chapman for translations and plays—so their work would not align as well with this lyric. Therefore, Christopher Marlowe is the best answer.