The epigraph of Salutamus is taken from Shakespeare's play

• A. Marlowe
• B. Jonson
• C. Shakespeare
• D. Dryden

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is recognizing the source of an epigraph by its voice and style. If the opening line of Salutamus mirrors Shakespeare’s dramatic diction, it’s a strong cue that the epigraph came from a Shakespearean play. Shakespeare’s language in plays has a distinctive cadence and phrasing that readers often recognize, even when quoted briefly. The other authors—Marlowe, Jonson, and Dryden—come from different periods and styles: Marlowe’s verse tends to a more intense, earlier blank verse; Jonson offers crafted epigrams and classical allusion with a sober, learned tone; Dryden represents Restoration polish and often formal rhymed schemes. The epigraph’s feel and source align most closely with Shakespeare, making him the best answer.