All's Well that Ends Well

All's Well That Ends Well tells the story of love between different classes. Helena, the main character in All's Well That Ends Well is the orphaned daughter of the late physician Gerard de Narbon, now taken in by the Countess of Rousillon. In the Countess' care, she falls deeply in love with Bertram, the Countess' son but keeps her feelings hidden. Bertram pays no attention to this lowly maid. Now serving in the King of Frances' court, Bertram learns the King suffers from festula. If only the esteemed physician Gerard de Narbon were alive, the King could be saved... Meanwhile poor Helena still yearns for Bertram but fears her social station will make a relationship impossible. The Countess senses Helena's pain, learning it is from being separated from Bertram. Helena reveals her intention to go to Paris and cure the King with potion her late father made, allowing her be close to Bertram again. The Countess encourages Helena in her plan, happy Helena loves her son. Helena tries to cure the King but he will have none of it; he is sick of cures that don't work. Seizing the initiative, Helena stakes her very life on the potion, but should it work, she asks to have the hand of any available gentleman in the King's court. The potion works, Helena choosing Bertram to be her husband... However Bertram has other ideas; he cannot love nor marry the daughter of a physician nor will he try. The King says otherwise and so they are married but Bertram hasn't accepted marriage lying down, escaping after the wedding for a miltary campagn in Italy. Before leaving, he sends his new wife home to Rousillon to join his mother, declaring by letter that though he may be wed, he has not consummated the marriage nor will he ever! Bertram by letter, also tells Helena that only once she can place the ring on his finger and has borne him a child, can she call him her husband. Helena, distraught, goes on pilgrimage, arriving in Florence, Italy where she takes lodgings under an old widow who has a daughter named Diana. Diana tells Helena of a countryman who has gained great honor in a battle, a certain Count Rousillon. Helena claims to know this man only by name. It turns out Bertram has been trying to seduce Diana, Helena, wishing the Count could love her, his wife. Helena recounts her ordeal to the widow and Diana, gaining help in getting Helena's husband back. Diana tricks Bertram into giving her his wedding ring, arranging to bed Bertram at midnight. Instead Helena takes Diana's place in the dark, the two finally making love. Helena then places a ring on Bertram's finger given to her by the King of France. Back in Rousillon, The Countess, believing Helena dead, urges her son home. Now in Rousillon, Bertram realises he lost a loving and devoted wife, admitting to the King that he did love Helena... Forgiving Bertram for his mistake, the King decides Bertram shall remarry but spotting the ring he gave Helena on Bertram's hand, he inquires how it got there, Bertram desperately trying to avoid revealing anything. Diana appears, revealing how that ring got there, demanding Bertram's hand. Helena now arrives with the widow claiming she not only bears Bertram's ring but carries child as well, Bertram happily acknowledging Helena as his wife.

As You Like It Play As You Like It begins with a betrayal. In the first act, Duke Frederick replaces his older brother Duke Senior, banishing him to the forest of Arden. Duke Seniors' daughter Rosalind stays with Duke Frederick's only daughter Celia until Duke Frederick banishes her too, fearing the people love Rosalind more than Celia. Orlando is the youngest son of Sir Rowland, seemingly a good thing except his elder brother Oliver has denied him the education and the wealth he deserves. Duke Frederick and Oliver hope to see the last of Orlando at a wrestling match but instead Orlando wins, Rosalind falling in love with Orlando. Rosalind flees into Arden, Celia loyally joining her. Tipped off that Oliver wants Orlando dead, Orlando too flees to Arden. Duke Frederick threatens Oliver with the loss of all he has should he not find Orlando, Celia and Rosalind. In Arden, Celia and Rosalind pretend to be the men Ganymede and Aliena, meeting Touchstone, an irreverent clown. They buy a flock of sheep, a hut and some land from shepards Corin and Silvius. We hear of Jacques, a man with permanent melancholy from Duke Senior. Orlando, now in the forest and hungry demands food from Duke Senior and his followers, only to be offered it warmly. Smitten with Rosalind, and knowing she is in Arden somewhere, Orlando resorts to carving her name on trees and hanging love poems from them. Rosalind finds these and still disguised, asks Orlando how he truly feels about her. Ganymede decides to help Orlando be cured of his lovesickness. This backfires, Orlando only loving Rosalind more, Rosalind too falling more and more in love. Rosalind watches the romance between the Silvius and the fair Phoebe unfold, Phoebe being quite rude towards Silvius. Seeing this injustice, Ganymede tells Phoebe that she really is not that fair, inadvertantly making Phoebe fall in love with her! Receiving a love letter from Phoebe, Ganymede (Rosalind in disguise) resolves to help Silvius. Elsewhere in Arden Oliver is nearly killed by a lioness but is saved by Orlando, the two brothers ending their feud. Oliver has fallen in love with Celia and will marry the next day. Orlando laments that he cannot marry Rosalind but Ganymede promises to make this true through magic. At Oliver and Celia's wedding, Ganymede is revealed to be Rosalind, delighting Orlando. Silvius will marry Phoebe since she no longer loves nor wants to marry Ganymede, now a woman! Orlando and Rosalind, Oliver and Celia, Silvius and Phoebe and Touchstone and Audrey are all married. We learn a hermit changes Frederick for the better and now all exiled are welcomed back to their estates. The play ends with Jacques wanting no matter in these festivities...

Comedy of Errors Play The Comedy of Errors begins with a merchant of Syracuse named Aegeon being arrested in the town of Ephesus. His crime? The towns of Ephesus and Syracuse have an age long feud meaning a tradesman from Syracuse is far from welcome in Ephesus. Before Solinus, the Duke of Ephesus, Aegeon tells his sad story... Many, many years ago (33 years), Aegeon and his wife Aemilia and their two identical boys both named Antipholus were shipwrecked in a violent storm. With them were their two identical servants, both confusingly named Dromio. Two ships rescue the family, Aegeon losing his wife, one of the identical twins plus one of the two servants who are rescued by a ship last seen heading for Corinth. The other vessel rescues Aegeon, one of the sons and one of the servants who return to Syracuse. When the remaining Antipholus came of age at eighteen, Aegeon allowed Antipholus and the surviving Dromio to search for his long lost brother. The two dissappear... Five years of searching later, Aegeon explains he has arrived in Ephesus to look for his son and servant. The Duke is saddened by this such that he will not sentence Aegeon immediately for being in Ephesus. The Duke offers Aegeon one day to pay a ransom, otherwise he will die as per custom for citizens of Syracuse being in Ephesus. Unknownest to Aegeon, his wife did survive, a rude fisherman stealing Antipholus and Dromio from her. These two eventually make their way to Ephesus whilst Aemilia, in her grief, becomes a nun in Ephesus. Havoc soon ensues when Aegeon's surviving son Antipholus lands in Ephesus, bringing confusion to all since Antipholus appears in one place then across another at impossible speed, Antipholus saying he is from Epidamnum, thus avoiding arrest. Antipholus is quickly mistaken for the Antipholus who is native to Ephesus, eventually dining with Antipholus of Ephesus' wife Adriana. Likewise, Ephesus goldsmith Angelo gives Antiopholus of Syracuse a gold chain his Ephesus twin paid for, expecting his payment later. Antipholus of Syracuse falls for Luciana, Adriana's sister rejecting him, thinking her sister's husband is trying to seduce her! Meanwhile, Angelo returns, asking for payment for the chain which Antipholus of Syracuse naturally refuses; he paid for no such chain (though he did receive it). Antipholus of Syracuse is quickly arrested, everyone thinking Antipholus of Syracuse is Antipholus of Ephesus. During all this, Adriana believes her husband and servant Dromio to be mad, such is their jumping from place to place, even forcing them to see a Doctor Pinch. Hilariously, he tries to exorcize the devil from Antipholus' body. Adding to the confusion, Adriana meets Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse, thinking they have escaped from the Pinch's care, not realising those two are still in the doctor's care. Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse simply don't know what to think! The Syracuse pair quickly go into hiding in a nearby abbey. Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus escape the doctor's care, finding Duke Solinus just as Aegeon is about to be executed. Both Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus try to explain their movements, Aegeon recognising his son, Antipholus of Ephesus not recognizing his father. Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse

now arrive with an abbess (Aegeon's wife Aemilia). Both pairs now explain all in front of Solinus, Aegeon being pardoned for entering Ephesus, the family reunited and Antipholus of Syracuse arranging to marry Luciana.

Cymbeline Play Cymbeline is the King of Britain. Widowed, Cymbeline has three children two of whom, Guiderius and Arviragus were kidnapped some twenty years ago leaving just daughter Imogen as heir. The King remarries, gaining the worthless stepson Cloten (rhymes with?) from his new but evil Queen. Cymbeline wants Imogen to marry Cloten but she disobeys, marrying her true love Posthumus Leonatus instead. This earns Posthumus banishment and Imogen imprisonment within the King's castle before they can consumate their marriage. Now in Rome, Posthumus accepts a 10,000 ducat bet that Frenchman Iachimo can seduce his wife Imogen, ruining her chastity. Iachimo fails, but wanting the money, steals a bracelet given by Posthumus as a parting token of their love, convincing Posthumus his wife has cheated. Enraged, Posthumus orders Imogen killed, the servant Pissanio realising Iachimo's treachery, refusing, but convincing Posthumus she is dead by hiding her as the male Fidele. Despite being rejected by Posthumus, Imogen still rejects Clotus' hand in marriage. Now in a place called Milford Haven, Imogen disguised as a man meets her long lost brothers living with a Lord banished years ago by the King called Belarius.Imogen does not know her brothers were kidnapped by Belarius as revenge for being banished. Meanwhil,e Cloten has followed Imogen in disguise as Posthumus still wanting marriage. On his way to defile Imogen and kill Posthumus, Cloten meet Guiderius, Cloten being rude and being decapitated. The head is thrown in the river to hide the crime. Imogen now quite sick, takes a potion to cure her sickness that the Queen gave to servant Pisanio hoping it would reach Imogen or Posthumus. The Queen believes it is a poison she requested from Doctor Cornelius to ensure Cloten became king by either forcing Imogen to marry Cloten if Posthumus died or by killing Imogen making Cloten heir. Realising the Queen's evil, Doctor Cornelius provides a medicine that does not kill but places Imogen in a deep slumber. Thinking her dead, Imogen is laid to rest above ground next to the dead Cloten. Imogen awakes but thinks the dead body wearing Posthumus' clothes is not Cloten but Posthumus. Meanwhile, Caaius Lucius demands the King pay tribute to August Caesar and Rome. The King refuses resulting in Rome declaring war. The Queen stressed from war and her missing son (Clotus ) dies, admitting hating the King in her last hours. Imogen in total grief and despair joins Caius Lucius' army, the King being captured only to be rescued by sons Guiderius and Arviragus, Posthumus and the banished Belarius. Posthumus is captured by the British who mistake him for a Roman. Posthumus has a vision, seeing his dead father, mother, brothers Guiderius and Arviragus and Jupiter. Imogen finally returns to the King, Iachimo admiting stealing Imogen's bracelet and good reputation, Clotens' death is told and

Cornelius reveals the truth about the Queens' potion. Belarius aknowledges kidnapping Guiderius and Arviragus, a soothsayer (fortune teller) reveals a book placed in Posthumus' lap is from Jupiter, the god, Cymbeline shows mercy toward Belarius and Iachimo and the King finally allows Posthumus and Imogen to remain together...

Love's Labour's Lost Play Loves's Labour's Lost begins with Ferdinand, King of Navarre decreeing that his court shall avoid the distraction and labours of love, ignoring the charms of women, to instead concentrate on the labours of study for three years. To do this, the King tells Berowne, Longaville, and Dumain that they may study with him at the court as long as they neither see, talk, love, nor be with a woman in this time, fast once a week and to improve concentration, sleep only three hours a night. The men agree, Berowne believing these rules to be unrealistic, but vowing to at least be the last man to break them. Berowne now brings to the King's attention that the Princess of France has arrived and seeks his audience. Whilst preparing to receive the Princess, Costard the King's fool is sent to Don Armado to be punished being desiring Jacquenetta, a country girl. Wanting the girl for himself, Armado instead places Costard in prison. Remembering their vow, the King and company delay seeing the Princess, the Princess and entourage camping outside the court in protest. Eventually the King meets the Princess outside his court, learning she has come to collect on a loan, one Ferdinand denies receiving. Boyet, who accompanies the Princess, notices the King's affection for her, the Princess and entourage now plotting to punish the King and company. Don Armado meanwhile, decides to overturn Costard's punishment if he will only send a letter to Jacquenetta. Unfortunately, the fool bumps into Berowne who also wants the fool to send a letter, this time to Rosaline, part of the Princess' entourage, whom Berowne loves. Naturally Costard mixes the two letters up, Jacquenetta receiving Berowne's letter for Rosaline and Rosaline receiving Don Armado's letter for Jacquenetta. Meanwhile in the court, the King and company's resolve to shun the charms of women is rapidly falling to pieces.... Berowne, torn by his love for

Rosaline, spies King Ferdinand writing a love letter to the Princess. Shortly thereafter, the King and Berowne spy Longaville writing a love letter to Maria, then King, Berowne and Longaville all catch Dumaine writing a love letter to Katherine. Naturally King Ferdinand tells off Longaville and Dumaine but the jig is soon up when Berowne tells off everyone else for breaking their vows unlike him. Unfortunately at this point Jaquenetta comes forward, revealing even Berowne broke his vow! Deciding their vow is causing more pain than happiness, the men decide their vow is best left broken and forgotten, each seeking their respective love... However when the Lords decide to see the ladies disguised as foreigners, the ladies forewarned by Boyet, decide to play a trick of their own, swapping jewerllery and wearing masks to disguise themselves. Each man departs with the wrong woman, each lady refusing her suitor's romantic gestures. The King and company return as themselves, the women admitting their trickery. Unfortunately, news comes of the loss of the Princess' father, forcing her to leave the court. Before leaving, the Princess tells King Ferdinand she will consider his offer of marriage if he can spend a year in a hermitage as both punishment for breaking his vow and to give the Princess time to mourn her lost father. The other ladies exact similar promises from their suitors, the play ending with the ladies vowing to return in a year to see if the men have kept their word.

Measure for Measure

Measure for Measure begins with Vincentio, the Duke of Vienna, entrusting his deputy Angelo to rule for him whilst he is on leave. Vincentio gives Angelo the power to enforce Vienna's many rules that Vincentio has increasingly been lax enforcing. Seeing Angelo as strict and uncompromising, Vincentio believes Angelo to be the perfect man to do what he will not; enforce the law without exception. However, Vincentio is not totally trusting of Angelo; instead of leaving town, he instead disguises himself as a friar to see check up on Angelo... Angelo is as uncompromising as Vincentio hoped; almost everyone is shocked by Angelo's zealous pursuit of the law; Angelo handing out a death sentence to Claudio for making his fiance Julietta pregnant before marriage... Fearing for Claudio's life, Isabella, Claudio's sister petitions for Angelo to spare her brother. Though Angelo wants to ignore Isabella's pleas, her beauty and pleading win Angelo over but there is a catch... Angelo will spare Claudio's life if Isabella, a virgin preparing to become a nun, gives herself to Angelo... Disgusted, Isabella refuses. The Friar (Vincentio) who has been trying to comfort Angelo in the prison, overhears Isabella and Claudio's predicament, resolving to save them both from Angelo. Hilariously, Vincentio still disguised, learns first hand just how lenient the people believe him to be from Lucio. The Friar's plan is simple. Isabella will agree to Angelo's offer but when the moment comes for Isabella to surrender herself to him, she will switch places with Mariana, a woman Vincentio knows was once engaged to Angelo and still loves him. All goes according to plan until Angelo, satisfied, decides to execute Claudio as planned. Vincentio decides to thwart Angelo by convincing Claudio's jailer to switch another man in Claudio's place. The Friar uses a letter from the real Duke (himself) to convince the Provost into doing this. Vincentio does not tell Isabella what he has planned, only that she should seek out the Duke of Vienna who will be returning soon to ensure Angelo is brought to justice for what he has done to Claudio and her. Angelo, learning of the Duke's return, starts to regret executing Claudio... Throwing away his Friar's disguise, Vincentio enters Vienna as the Duke, Isabella telling him all that has happenned. The Duke pretends not to believe Isabella, ordering her imprisoned... Friar Peter now confirms Isabella's story as does Mariana who tells the whole town that she made love to Angelo. The Duke, disguised again as the Friar also backs Isabella's story... Angelo, knowing he is in very deep trouble, attempts to save himself by discrediting Isabella and placing the rest of the blame on the Friar. The Duke then reveals himself to be the Friar, Angelo now begging for mercy from Isabella and Vincentio. We quickly learn Claudio is alive not dead, Mariana still in love with Angelo, begging with Isabella for Angelo's life to be spared. This the Duke grants, commanding Angelo to wed Mariana and that Claudio wed Julietta. Vincentio decides to marry the beautiful Isabella... As for Lucio, the Duke remembering all to well Lucio's words about the Duke being lax with the law, orders Friar Peter to marry him to the prostitute Mistress Keepdown to whom Lucio has given a child, then orders Lucio whipped then hanged. In doing this, Vincentio takes the ultimate revenge by ensuring that a prostitute will inherit Lucio's wealth.

The Merry Wives of Windsor

The Merry Wives of Windsor Play

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Hamlet Julius Caesar King Henry IV King Lear Macbeth Merchant of Venice Othello Romeo and Juliet The Tempest Twelfth Night

The Merry Wives of Windsor begins with Parson Evans receiving a complaint from Justice Shallow and nephew Slender that Sir John Falstaff is again causing trouble, chasing the fair Mistress Anne Page. Slender falls in love with Anne but is too shy to tell her and propose. Thus Evans decides to help his nephew by having Slender's servant Simple send a letter to Anne's friend Mistress Quickly so she might Trivia Authorship help Slender. Running out of money, Sir John decides to seduce his Bard Facts way into money by sleeping with the wives of both Page and Ford. Bibliography Biography Disgusted, Sir John's friends Pistol and Nym inform the wives in FAQ secret. Mistress Quickly tells Simple she will help Slender woo Anne Films Globe Theatre but this is overheard by Doctor Caius, who also loving Anne, Pictures Quiz challenges Parson Evans to a duel for interfering. Fenton also loves Timeline Anne...

Meanwhile Mrs Ford and Mrs Page discover Sir John Falstaff's letters Visitor Survey Click here! to be identical, plotting with expert prankster Mistress Quickly to punish him. Likewise, Mr Ford and Mr Page learn of Sir John's plans from Pistol and Nym. Whilst Page trusts his wife, Ford is not so sure, taking the disguise of Brooke to divine Falstaff's intentions. Brooke offers Falstaff money to sleep with Mrs Ford to stop Falstaff, Falstaff agreeing but also insulting Brooke, unaware that he is Ford. Meanwhile, Caius waits in a field for Parson Evans to show up which he does not.Evans, though is also waiting for Caius to show but is in another field. Eventually both learn that the Host gave them different locations to stop the duel both uniting to make the Host pay for this. Falstaff arrives to seduce Ford's wife, Mrs Page arriving to warn Falstaff of Mr Ford's arrival. Panicking, the women convince Falstaff into hiding in a trunk full of dirty laundry they then have thrown into a muddy ditch. Ford arrives, not finding Falstaff. Meanwhile Fenton declares his love for Anne. Anne loves Fenton but Mr Page wants her to marry Slender, Mrs Page preferring Caius. Brooke arrives, Falstaff recounting his wet ordeal but also his next meeting... At Mrs Ford's house, Falstaff again is warned of Mr Ford's imminent arrival but Ford does turn up and they decide to hide Falstaff this time as a woman to escape injury. Angry at Ford's distrust, Mrs Page and Ford have the trunk once again taken out but without Falstaff. Seeing what he thinks is the aunt of Mistress Ford's maid, Ford beats up the Brainford woman (Falstaff). Now the women reveal all to their husbands, Ford apologizing for doubting his wife and now the two women decide to promise to meet Falstaff together at midnight where children disguised as fairies can terrify Falstaff. Meanwhile, Mr Page has chosen Slender to be Anne's husband but Mrs Page wants her daughter to marry Caius. Caius and Parson Evans play a prank on the Host. Anne has chosen to marry Fenton but to fool her parent's wishes she will not be wearing white as Mr Page told Slender nor green as Mrs Page told Caius, both men making away with children wearing these colours! Falstaff arrives at the oak giddy with excitement, only to be tormented by fairies and in his terror, laughed at by most of Windsor. Anne's elopement

Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar Play
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Hamlet Julius Caesar King Henry IV King Lear Macbeth Merchant of Venice Othello Romeo and Juliet The Tempest Twelfth Night

Julius Caesar begins with Tribunes, Marullus and Flavius scolding Roman citizens for blindly worshipping Caesar. Their words reveals deep-seated fears that Caesar is growing too powerful and must be stopped. A little later, we see Caesar leading a procession through the streets of Rome. A Soothsayer (fortune teller) tells Caesar to beware the "ides of March [the 15th of March]", a warning that he will die on Trivia this day. It is ignored... Cassius, fearing Caesar's ever growing power, Authorship Bard Facts begins to recruit Brutus, a close friend of Caesar's, towards his Bibliography conspiracy to assassinate him by implying that Caesar is becoming too Biography FAQ powerful... Brutus is suspicious of Cassius' motives... Casca, another Films Globe Theatre conspirator, reveals to Brutus information suggesting Cassius' fears Pictures Quiz may be real...
Timeline

To ensure Brutus joins his conspiracy, Cassius has Cinna place some forged letters where Brutus will find them, convincing Brutus to join Visitor Survey Click here! them; Brutus' good name will be an asset to their conspiracy... Brutus, unable to sleep, reveals his own fear of Caesar. Discovering the letter ,Brutus joins the conspiracy. The conspirators plan the assassination, Brutus arguing against Mark Antony also being assassinated... Calphurnia, Caesar's wife, tells him that her dream foretells doom, convincing him not go to the Senate on the "ides of March" which is tomorrow. Decius Brutus, hearing this, goads Caesar into going so as not to look weak... Artemidorus and the Soothsayer both try to warn Caesar but fail. At the Senate, the conspirators kill Caesar. Mark Antony flees but later asks to speak at the funeral. Cassius thinks this is dangerous, but Brutus lets Mark Antony speak. Brutus and Cassius explain to the citizens of Rome why they killed Caesar, gaining their support. Using the immortal words, "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;" Mark Antony turns the citizens against Brutus and Cassius by making them feel remorse for Caesar's death and by informing them that his will gifts them money. The crowd, now a crazed mob, go after the conspirators. Mark Antony and ally Octavius start planning their attack on Brutus and Cassius. Brutus argues with Cassius over Cassius' dishonesty, Brutus eventually forgiving him. Brutus meets Caesar's Ghost which tells Brutus he will see him again at Philippi. On the Plains of Philippi, Mark Antony's and Octavius' forces face Brutus' and Cassius' forces. Later in battle with Mark Antony and Octavius, Brutus sends orders via messenger Messala to Cassius' forces on the other side of the battlefield. Cassius' forces are losing ground to Mark Antony's forces. Brutus' army has defeated Octavius but are not helping Cassius.

Needing information, Cassius sends Titinius to a nearby hill to report if it is friendly or not. Cassius instructs Pindarus to report Titinius' progress to him. Pindarus sees Titinius pulled off his horse and fears Titinius has been captured. This would mean Brutus' forces have been beaten so Cassius kills himself on Pindarus' sword. Titinius returns, revealing that he was not captured but was greeted by Brutus' victorious forces. Brutus learns of Cassius' death. The battle rages on. Tired and weary, Brutus rests with his few remaining followers. One by one, Brutus asks Clitius, Dardanius and Volumnius to kill him but each refuses. Finally Brutus falls on his sword, killing himself. Octavius, Mark Antony, Messala and Lucilius now arrive. Strato explains how Brutus died. Mark Antony pays tribute to Brutus' noble spirit by famously saying, "This was the noblest Roman of them all..."

King Lear

King Lear Play

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Hamlet Julius Caesar King Henry IV King Lear Macbeth Merchant of Venice Othello Romeo and Juliet The Tempest Twelfth Night

King Lear begins with King Lear of England, handing over his kingdom to daughters Regan and Goneril whom he believes truly love him. He intends to stay with each daughter consecutively, accompanied by one hundred loyal knights. Angry that Cordelia, his youngest daughter does not appear to love him as much as Goneril and Regan, Lear banishes her and Kent, the servant who tried to Trivia Authorship defend her. Cordelia is taken by the King of France as his Queen... Bard Facts Edmund, the trusted but illegitimate son of the Earl of Gloucester, Bibliography Biography plots against brother Edgar. Things quickly go bad for Lear, Goneril FAQ conspiring to have him driven out of her house. Kent, disguised so he Films can still serve King Lear, earns his respect by defending him. Goneril Globe Theatre Pictures offends her father, dismissing fifty of his knights. Lear starts to realise Quiz Timeline Cordelia was not so bad after all... He decides to leave Goneril for Regan... Edmund tricks Gloucester into believing Edgar wanted to kill him, Edgar going into hiding... Kent and Goneril's steward, Oswald Visitor Survey Click here! fight, Kent being punished, emphasizing how little Lear's name is respected by Regan and Goneril... Lear tells Regan how much Goneril hurt him, Regan allowing Lear to stay but without one follower; he decides to stay with neither daughter... Kent keeps Cordelia informed of her father's plight... Lear braves the elements against a storm... Gloucester tells Edmund the French will soon invade. Lear is brought out of the storm, where he explains the physical torment distracted him from the pain his daughters have brought him. Edmund talks to the Duke of Cornwall (Regan's husband), implicating Gloucester as a traitor. Edmund is rewarded with his father's title. Cornwall tells Edmund to find Gloucester... Iin a farmhouse, Lear, showing signs of madness, holds a mock trial to punish his daughters, addressing two stools as if they were Regan and Goneril. Gloucester is captured and blinded. Disgusted by Cornwall's brutality, a servant wounds Cornwall... Gloucester now blind, realises his mistakes, especially about Edgar. Gloucester meets "poor Tom" not realising it is Edgar in disguise. Edgar leads his father to the cliffs of Dover where his father wishes to commit suicide. The Duke of Albany renounces his wife Goneril, realising her evil... Cornwall dies. The rivalry between Regan and Goneril for Edmund intensifies... Cordelia sends men to find her father... With the battle about to begin, Albany switches sides again, supporting Goneril and Regan but only to fight an invading power. Regan worries more about her sister's intentions for Edmund than the battle... Edgar leads his father to the cliffs of Dover, tricking him that he survived the fall. Edgar kills Oswald, Oswald's letter from Goneril revealing she wanted Edmund to kill Albany so they could marry. Cordelia finds her father who deeply regrets his actions... Regan and Goneril try to make Edmund choose between them... Cordelia's forces lose to Goneril and Regan, Cordelia and Lear being taken prisoner. Albany turns on Goneril and Regan. Edgar mortally wounds Edmund. Goneril kills herself and poisons Regan. Poor Tom (Edgar)

reveals his true identity to Gloucester who dies unable to take both grief and joy. Albany and the dying Edmund try to save Lear and Cordelia from being hanged but are too late... Lear howls with pain at the loss of Cordelia. Kent is finally recognised for his loyalty by Lear who, unable to take further pain, dies. Albany is left to restore order...

Macbeth
Macbeth Play

Study Guides
Hamlet Julius Caesar King Henry IV King Lear Macbeth Merchant of Venice Othello Romeo and Juliet The Tempest Twelfth Night

Macbeth begins with Three Witches deciding to meet again after a battle being fought nearby. Macbeth is introduced as the brave man who led King Duncan's forces to victory against the traitorous Thane of Cawdor, Macdonwald and The King of Norway, in a battle that could have gone either way were it not for his actions. King Duncan Trivia Authorship decides to make Macbeth his new Thane of Cawdor. The previous Bard Facts Thane of Cawdor will be executed. Meeting Macbeth and friend Bibliography Biography Banquo, The Three Witches tell Macbeth that he will be "Thane of FAQ Films Glamis!", "Thane of Cawdor!" and "king hereafter" or become King Globe Theatre of Scotland. Banquo learns his descendants shall be kings. Banquo Pictures fears the Three Witches. Macbeth privately reveals his belief in them, Quiz Timeline later questioning Banquo's feelings about his descendants becoming kings and starting to think of killing King Duncan...

King Duncan announces that his son Malcolm will be the new Prince of Cumberland. Macbeth sees Malcolm as a threat to his destiny to be king... Lady Macbeth eagerly embraces the prophecies. Fearing her husband is too weak-willed to do what needs to be done (killing King Duncan), she famously asks the gods to remove from her all signs of compassion, replacing these with ruthlessness. Learning King Duncan will stay at their castle, Lady Macbeth plans to kill him... Macbeth wrestles with his conscience, deciding against murder but his wife belittles him, threatening her love for him if he cannot kill. This wins him over, the two planning to kill Duncan in his sleep. Macbeth kills the King, his wife telling him that a little water will wash away their guilt... News of Duncan's death reaches all at the castle. Lady Macbeth faints and Macbeth kills Duncan's two guards for his murder, largely freeing him from suspicion. Duncan's two sons flee, leaving Macbeth to be crowned the new King of Scotland, his wife, the new Queen. Banquo wonders whether his friend killed the King. Fearful that his children will not be kings, the new King arranges for Banquo and Fleance to be murdered. Banquo is killed but Fleance survives. The King later sees Banquo's Ghost at his party, causing the Queen to finish their party early such is her husband's strange behavior. Hecate scolds the Three Witches for helping an ungrateful Macbeth, telling them to use illusion and prophecy against him. The King meets the Witches, learning that he should fear Macduff, that none naturally born can harm him and that he has nothing to fear until "Great Birnam wood" moves to "high Dunsinane hill" near his castle. Learning this, he decides to kill Macduff and decides he is safe from all men and that only the impossible moving of a nearby forest

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to his castle can spell his doom. Unable to kill Macduff, the King has his family murdered instead... We learn that Scotland under the tyrant's rule has been plunged into despair and that a large army is gathering against him. The Queen goes insane, making her famous speech that she cannot wipe away the blood on her hands. Meanwhile, the Tyrant's enemies led by Malcolm, gather near Dunsinane. Malcolm now orders each man to cut down a branch from the nearby Birnam Wood as his army, now camouflaged, heads towards Macbeth's castle... The Tyrant laughs off his enemies' numbers, certain of the Birnam Wood prophecy, learning that his wife has died. The King, seeing Birnam Wood moving on his castle, defiantly sets off to meet his destiny... Confronted by Macduff, the King learns that he has born by Caesarian section, the hated tyrant being slain and order being restored when Malcolm is hailed the new King of Scotland

Othello, the Moor of Venice

Othello Play
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Hamlet Julius Caesar King Henry IV King Lear Macbeth Merchant of Venice Othello Romeo and Juliet The Tempest Twelfth Night

Othello begins with Iago, a soldier arguing with Roderigo, a wealthy Venetian who has paid Iago to spy on Othello, since he wishes to take this man's girlfriend, Desdemona himself. He suspects Iago has not been keeping his end of the bargain. Iago reveals his hatred of Othello for choosing Cassio as his officer, not him. To regain Roderigo's trust, Iago and Roderigo inform Brabantio, Desdemona's father of her Trivia relationship with Othello, infuriating Brabantio. Othello explains how Authorship Bard Facts he and Desdemona fell in love, the two marrying. Othello is ordered Bibliography Biography to Cypress to fight the Turks. Roderigo gives up on Desdemona but FAQ Iago tells him not to since he wants to keep taking his money. Iago Films Globe Theatre explains his plan to avenge Othello by suggesting Cassio is sleeping Pictures Quiz with Desdemona. Iago tells Roderigo he still has a chance with Timeline Desdemona but Cassio stands in his way.

Iago informs Othello that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona. Visitor Survey Click here! Iago then tells Roderigo to attack Cassio, Cassio wounding Roderigo. Cassio is demoted. Iago suggests Cassio speak with Desdemona. Some time later, Cassio speaks with Desdemona who resolves to keep putting in a good word for Cassio until he is an officer again. Othello complains of a headache to Desdemona, resulting in her dropping a handkerchief, his first gift to her. Iago makes sure Cassio finds this. Othello demands proof of Desdemona's infidelity from Iago. Reluctantly Iago tells him he saw Cassio wipe his brow with Desdemona's handkerchief. Convinced, Iago is promoted to lieutenant and ordered to kill Cassio. Meanwhile, Desdemona worries about her missing handkerchief, knowing it could make her husband doubt her fidelity. Sure enough she is asked for the handkerchief by her suspicious husband but cannot find it... Iago now suggests Desdemona shared her bed with Cassio. Iago then talks to Cassio about Cassio's mistress Bianca, each smile and gesture infuriating a hidden Othello who thinks Cassio is talking about sleeping

with Desdemona. Bianca then arrives, angrily giving back Desdemona's handkerchief that Cassio gave her. Furious, Othello decides to kill Desdemona in her bed, Iago's idea. We learn Iago has been pocketing Roderigo's gifts for Desdemona. Fearing Roderigo will learn this, Iago tells him that Cassio must die... Desdemona is ordered by her husband to wait for him in bed... Desdemona, depressed, recalls a song of a maid who was similarly abused by her husband. Iago tells Roderigo how to kill Cassio. Roderigo attacks Cassio but Cassio wounds Roderigo. Iago from behind, stabs Cassio, wounding him in the leg. Seizing Roderigo, Iago stabs and wounds him "in revenge" for wounding his "friend" Cassio. Bianca arrives, Iago blaming Cassio's injuries on her... Desdemona's jealous husband arrives, trying to convince himself that he is killing her for her own good. Desdemona awakens, asking what wrong she has committed, her husband telling her that she gave Cassio his handkerchief, meaning he thinks she had an affair. Desdemona pleads her innocence, saying Cassio can prove her innocence. Her husband replies Cassio confessed and is dead, then kills Desdemona. Emilia reveals Iago has killed Roderigo, Desdemona not revealing who killed her before dying. Othello tells Emilia he killed Desdemona, Emilia despite Iago's frantic attempts to stop her, revealing that she found the hankerchief and gave it to Iago. Iago stabs Emilia, escaping, Emilia dying. Iago is captured, Othello stabbing but not killing him before having his sword removed. Lodovico learns of the plot against Cassio. Iago proudly confirming that Cassio found the handkerchief because Iago wanted him to. Othello, realising what he has done, kills himself, lying on top of his wife. Cassio is placed in charge of Iago, Lodovico leaving to discuss this sad matter.

Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet Play
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Hamlet Julius Caesar King Henry IV King Lear Macbeth Merchant of Venice Othello Romeo and Juliet The Tempest Twelfth Night

Romeo and Juliet, arguably Shakespeare's most famous play, begins with a Prologue explaining that the children of two feuding families, Romeo of the Montague family and Juliet of the Capulet family, will both love and die in the course of this play... Sampson and Gregory, servants to the Capulets and Abraham and Balthasar, servants to the Montagues, start a street fight, which is joined by Benvolio Trivia Authorship (Montague) and Tybalt (Capulet). Escalus, the Prince of Verona declares a death penalty for further feuding between the two families... Bard Facts Bibliography Biography Meanwhile Capulet (Juliet's father) is keen for Paris to marry his FAQ daughter and plans a party, Romeo and friends deciding to turn up Films uninvited... At the Capulet party, Romeo disguised by a mask, falls in Globe Theatre Pictures Quiz love with Juliet, both quickly learning that they are the enemies of Timeline each other's family...

Ignoring the danger, Romeo scales the Capulet's wall to be near Juliet Visitor Survey Click here! and hidden in her orchard, learns Juliet loves him, the two deciding to marry. Friar Laurence agrees to marry the two lovers since he hopes this will end the long running Montague / Capulet feud... The wedding is set for later that day. The Nurse brings

Romeo ropes, allowing him to climb into his lover's bedchamber as her husband later that night... The two lovers marry... Benvolio and Mercutio (Montague) meet Tybalt (Capulet). Tybalt kills Mercutio, Romeo then killing Tybalt and becoming banished from Verona. Juliet learns of Tybalt's death, mourning her husband's banishment, her husband mourning that he will not be able to see his wife again... Capulet, unaware of the marriage, decides that his daughter should marry Paris on Thursday. The two lovers spend the night together. Juliet, learning that she is to marry Paris, tries to fight her father's wishes, failing. She decides to commit suicide if all else fails... Friar Laurence tells Juliet to take a potion simulating death, allowing her to live with her husband unopposed in Mantua since everyone will think she is dead. Hearing that his daughter no longer opposes the wedding, Capulet, decides to move the wedding forward. It will now be on Wednesday... Juliet takes the potion, worrying about the Friar's intentions before the potion takes effect and she falls asleep... Capulet, hearing Paris' arrival, tells the Nurse to wake his daughter, discovering she is dead. The wedding preparations are changed to those of a funeral... In Mantua, Romeo learning of his wife's death, decides to risk his life by returning to Verona to see her one last time. He also buys some poison... Friar Laurence's letter, telling Romeo that his wife is not dead does not reach him. Friar Laurence heads off to the Capulet burial chamber where Juliet will soon awake. Paris mourns his bride that never was. Romeo arrives, opening his lover's coffin to look at her one last time, Paris then attacking him, believing he is desecrating Juliet's grave... Romeo kills Paris, placing him beside his wife and then takes his poison, kissing his wife, then dying. Friar Laurence arrives too late to stop the suicide. Juliet, now awake, asks for her husband... Now alone, she kisses her husband and stabs herself, dying. Escalus, the Capulets and the Montagues arrive, Balthasar and Friar Laurence explaining all. Escalus scolds the two families who finally end their feud. The play ends with the Prince summarising this tragic love story

imon of Athens

Timon of Athens Play Timon of Athens tells the tale of a kind and generous aristocrat, too generous in fact; it seems all around him need of his money... Unsurprisingly, Timons is very well liked, painters, poets and jewellers alike plying him with gifts. He lends money to others in trouble (Noble Ventidius), even underwriting servant Lucilius who wants to marry an old Athenian's daughter.

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Trivia
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Naturally our aristocratic benefactor holds another of his great feasts, all around him merrily eating and drinking away. Timons, though is just happy to be amongst his friends... Not content just to share a feast, Timons showers jewels upon everyone. No one minds except his steward Flavius who believes his master to be too generous and notes our aristocrat is steadily indebting himself. The philosopher Apemantus privately shares this view. Now facing creditors, Flavius telsl his master he is bankrupt. Our aristocrat asks his friends to lend Visitor Survey Click here! him money; all offer excuses instead.... Though increasingly worried, the nobleman does not give up hope yet, remembering his friends have always helped him before.... Instead the servants of his many "friends" demand payment of their debts! The Senate decide that Timon should die for failing to pay his debts. A captain of Athens named Alciabides trys valiantly without success to overturn this death sentence over one of his men given by the Senate. For his trouble Alciabides is banished but decides to have the last laugh by planning to sack Athens with his army in revenge. Infuriated by his friends refusal to help him, our nobleman invites his "friends" to one last feast only to serve them warm water, throwing it in their faces, Timons' denouncing not only these "friends" but all mankind, deciding to head for the woods. This earns him the reputation of a madman. Learning of the noblemans' fate, Alciabides befriends the aristocrat, now living as a hermit, hunting for mere scrubs with which to eat. Ironically the hermit has come across a great hoard of gold. The hermit now insults Alciabides for the crime of being a man, so deep is the hermits' hatred. Alciabides tries to offer the hermit money but instead the hermit makes him an offer; Alciabides may have the gold if he sacks Athens. Accepting some of this gold to pay his troops, Alciabides sets off for Athens. The Hermit meets Apemantus, the two getting along since they both hate mankind. Apermentus relays the hermit's message to Athens that he has found a great hoard of gold. Now bandits arrive, the hermit too offering them gold should they bring havoc upon Athens. Unfortunately the hermit's venomous ranting convinces these bandits to give up their thieving ways. Realising Flavius his old steward to be one of the few honest men left, the hermit even sends him packing, though with gold. Meanwhile Alciabides reaches Athens, the desperate Athenians begging the hermit for

help, but the hermit instead kindly offers them a tree with which to hang themselves! Desperate, the Senate placate Alciabides by offering up Alciabides' enemies and those who refused to help the hermit out of his debt. Alciabides says he seeks reparations only from the hermit's "friends." Unfortunately though it seems the hermit has finally been avenged, a lone soldier announces that the once popular nobleman has passed away alone in his cave, uncared for by anyone. Alcibides reads aloud the hermit's own scrawled epitgraph, asking all to remember this generous man...

itus Andronicus
Titus Andronicus Play
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Hamlet Julius Caesar King Henry IV King Lear Macbeth Merchant of Venice Othello Romeo and Juliet The Tempest Twelfth Night

Titus Andronicus begins with Roman General Titus, returning to Rome, victorious after a ten year war against the Goths. The late Emperor has died, Saturninus the eldest son wanting to become Emperor, his brother Bassanius arguing for an election he hopes to win. Instead, Titus is elected Emperor by the Senate in recognition of his military services to Rome. The General declines, instead choosing Trivia Authorship Saturninus over Bassanius to be the new Emperor. Saturninus now makes Titus' daughter Lavinia his new empress despite her preferring Bard Facts Bibliography Biography Bassanius. Amongst the general's prisoners are Queen Tamara and FAQ sons Alarbus, Demetrius and Chiron. Alarbus is quickly slain by Titus' Films Globe Theatre sons to appease the Roman Gods. Tamara curses all Romans as a Pictures Quiz result.
Timeline

Saturninus falls in love with Tamara at first sight and who sets her sons free... Bassanius then declares his love of Lavinia, Titus telling Visitor Survey Click here! Bassanius she should stay with the Emperor. Bassanius ignores this, fleeing with Lavinia only to have Titus kill his son Mutius for breaking an order. Saturninus now declares Tamara will be his new empress instead of Lavinia to the General's complete surprise. Tamara with Aaron (a Moor), her real lover, hopes to bring about Titus' downfall. Saturninus accuses his brother of treason but Tamara convinces the Emperor to overlook this and the murder of Mutius, resolving to kill them all later... Tamara's surviving sons Demetrius and Chiron who both love Lavinia despite her loving Bassanius, find Bassanius in the forest, quickly killing him. Next they rape Titus' daughter Lavinia, then cut out her tongue and hands. Miraculously, she survives... Aaron sets up Titus' sons Quintus and Martius for Bassanius' murder. Titus begs for mercy but his pleas fall on the Emperor's deaf ears... Titus' other son, Lucius attempts to free Quintus and Martius only to be banished from Rome as a result. Lavinia is discovered, Aaron telling Titus that Emperor Saturninus will spare his son's lives for the murder of his brother Bassanius if and only if someone cuts off one of his hands and sends it to the Emperor. Titus duly cuts off his hand only to receive sons Quintus and Martius' heads along with his severed hand. Seeing his son's heads and realising he mutilated himself for nothing, Titus sends remaining son Lucius to the Goths to raise an army to sack

Rome. True to his father's wishes, Lucius has raised an army. Lavinia too has managed to communicate to Titus who mutilated her, Titus, now close to madness, successfully luring Demetrius and Chiron into a trap where he tells them he knows what they did and darkly tells them their fate in which he decides to make a pie from their remains... Tamara gives birth to Aaron's son. Lucius captures Aaron's baby, Aaron admitting all to save the baby. Titus reveals he is not mad at all. Tamara and Emperor Saturninus attempt to convince Titus to stop Lucius and the Goths from sacking Rome. Titus suggests they have dinner... During the dinner, Titus kills Lavinia in an act of mercy, then reveals to his guests what the pie they are eating is made of... Next, Titus kills Tamara, Saturninus then killing Titus, Lucius then killing Saturninus. Lucius is made Emperor, ordering Aaron to be buried in sand to his head, then left to starve to death. For Tamara, Lucius decides to have her body left unburied so scavengers may tear her body to pieces...