The famous quotation Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them is attributed to which English writer and dramatist?

Introduction / Context:
Quotations from famous writers are frequently used in exams to test cultural literacy and knowledge of English literature. This item focuses on a well known motivational line that contrasts different ways in which greatness may come to a person. Recognising that this quotation comes from a specific play by William Shakespeare helps connect drama, authorship and thematic understanding in literature based general knowledge.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The quotation in the question is Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.
• The task is to identify the author or originator of this line.
• Four options are provided, each a famous thinker or writer.
• We assume the standard attribution as accepted in English literary studies.

Concept / Approach:
The concept tested is direct authorship attribution. The quoted line appears in a specific scene of a Shakespearean comedy. Many general knowledge questions focus on matching famous quotations to authors. The correct approach is to recall the context of the quote, the style of language and to associate it with the correct playwright or writer rather than guessing based only on popularity of the options.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Read the quotation carefully and note that it contains rhythmic, dramatic language characteristic of Elizabethan drama. Step 2: Recall that this exact line appears in the play Twelfth Night, a comedy by William Shakespeare. Step 3: Bertrand Russell was a philosopher and logician, not a writer of Elizabethan plays. Step 4: Abraham Lincoln was a United States president known for speeches like the Gettysburg Address but not for this theatrical quotation. Step 5: George Orwell was a twentieth century novelist and essayist known for works like Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty Four, not for this specific line. Step 6: Since the line appears in Twelfth Night, the correct attribution is to William Shakespeare.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify the origin by checking any reliable collection of Shakespeare quotations or the text of Twelfth Night. The line is spoken in a letter that is used as part of a comic scene to trick a character into believing he is destined for greatness. Standard literature guides and exam preparation books also list this quotation under Shakespeare, which provides strong confirmation that he is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Bertrand Russell: Famous for philosophical works on logic, mathematics and social criticism, not for dramatic quotations of this kind.
Abraham Lincoln: Known for political speeches and letters, and his language style is very different from this theatrical line.
George Orwell: A modern writer whose style is direct and political, not Elizabethan or poetic in the way this quotation is written.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners may confuse the quotation with a modern inspirational saying and might associate it with a political leader like Abraham Lincoln or with a modern writer. Another pitfall is not recognising that the line actually comes from a comic scene rather than a serious speech about greatness. Remembering that many classic motivational lines in English have theatrical origins helps in quickly linking them to Shakespeare and his plays during exams.

Final Answer:
The quotation is from the play Twelfth Night and is attributed to William Shakespeare.