Where does one put the question mark when asking a question preceding a length quotation (the quotation being separated from the paragraph and inset).  Here’s what I mean…

——Example:——-

When I give my love, as abundantly and emphatically as I can, then love flows back infinitely.  Is this not what Shakespeare meant when he wrote:

  A thousand times the worse, to want thy light.
  Love goes toward love, as schoolboys from their books,
  But love from love, toward school with heavy looks.

—- end of example——

OK, so where does the question mark go?  Clearly the writer is asking a question “Is this…” but does one put the question mark before the colon?  E.g., “...when he wrote?:” 

Or after the last line of the quotation?  E.g.,  “...with heavy looks?”

NWF

Where does one put the question mark when asking a question preceding a length quotation (the quotation being separated from the paragraph and inset)?

Quotations that are inset do not require quotation marks (as you apparently know), so putting a question mark at the end of the quotation is out, since it looks like part of the quotation.

So your only choice is the have the question mark precede the quotation. Since you shouldn’t double up on punctuation (e.g., ?:), eliminate the colon and say,

Is this not what Shakespeare meant when he wrote the following? or
Is this not what Shakespeare meant when he wrote the following lines?

How’s that? And welcome.

Since you shouldn’t double up on punctuation (e.g., ?:),

Is there a Strunk and White’s rule on this prohibition?  Or some other leading authority saying double punctuation in this scenario is wrong?

eliminate the colon and say,

Is this not what Shakespeare meant when he wrote the following?

I don’t like adding the words “...the following?” because they come across as unnecessary words, added simply for the sake of obeying some punctuation rule.  If you were speaking this, rather than writing, you would most likely avoid saying “when he wrote the following? blah blah quotation”.  No?

NWF

Is there a Strunk and White’s rule on this prohibition?  Or some other leading authority saying double punctuation in this scenario is wrong?

Both the Chicago Manual of Style and the old Harbrace Handbook advise again double punctuation, although not exactly in a sentence similar to yours. The advice excludes quotes within quotes and end punctuation with quotes, of course. However, most style manuals advise against punctuation like ?”. And your sentence comes close.

As for the following, I don’t like it and don’t use it. I just didn’t know whether you were a stickler for old-fashioned rules.

Still, I can’t see putting the question mark at the end of the quotation, simply because it looks like a part of the quoted passage. I would advise, Is this not what Shakespeare meant when he wrote?

The MLA Handbook might have something to say about this, but I gave mine away.

Thanks for your help.  I really think the double punctuation makes the most sense, regardless of what the rule books say.

NWF

Have it your way way. And come back soon!!