Dante Alighieri vs William Shakespeare

Who Was the Greater Genius? A Complete Comparison

Dante Alighieri
IQ175
Born1265
Died1321
OriginFlorence, Republic of Florence
Known ForDivine Comedy
VS
William Shakespeare
IQ190
Born1564
Died1616
OriginStratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England
Known ForRomeo and Juliet, Macbeth, King Lyr

About Dante Alighieri

An Italian poet, writer and philosopher best known for the narrative poem Divine Comedy.

Read full biography of Dante Alighieri → · In-Depth Article →

About William Shakespeare

An English playwright, poet, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist

THE FREE TEST
How high is yours?

Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.

Take the IQ test →

Read full biography of William Shakespeare → · In-Depth Article →

The Verdict

Based on estimated IQ scores, William Shakespeare (IQ 190) ranks higher than Dante Alighieri (IQ 175). However, both made extraordinary contributions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who had a higher IQ — Dante Alighieri or William Shakespeare?

Dante Alighieri had an estimated IQ of 175 while William Shakespeare had an estimated IQ of 190.

What is each genius known for?

Dante Alighieri is known for: Divine Comedy. William Shakespeare is known for: Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, King Lyr.

Are both considered geniuses?

Yes. Both Dante Alighieri and William Shakespeare are universally regarded as among history's greatest intellects.

Full Profile: Dante AlighieriFull Profile: William Shakespeare

← Browse all genius comparisons | IQ Rankings

01 · VS

Trending Comparisons

02 · TOP 100

Top IQ Rankings

03 · PRODIGIES

Child prodigies

Child prodigies →
04 · WORLD

Explore geniuses by country

Play & come back tomorrow

Daily Genius Challenge · Genius trivia
Which ancient Greek is called the 'father of geometry'?
Tap your answer ↓
Which Genius Are You? Free IQ Test