William Shakespeare

Creator William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
Profession Playwright, Poet, Actor
Total Entries 46
Articles
The Ongoing Obsession with Shakespeare’s True Identity – Literary Hub
William Shakespeare – Wikipedia
Victorian Illustrated Shakespeare Archive by Michael John Goodman
Though the heretical factions have little regard for each other, they are united in their belief that “Shakspere” of Stratford cannot have written Shakespeare’s plays and poems. Each faction has a defining affiliation with one or more “true author” candidates. The Marlovians believe Christopher Marlowe wrote the plays and poems, possibly after faking his own death in 1593. The Oxfordians stand with Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford (and are known to throw the best parties). The Baconians, the most respectable heretics, attribute the works to Sir Francis Bacon. Different varieties of fence-sitting Groupists postulate sundry scenarios of joint authorship… ~ The Ongoing Obsession with Shakespeare’s True Identity – Literary Hub

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Antonio (The Merchant of Venice)

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Category Antonio (The Merchant of Venice)
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Antonio is the title character in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. An influential, powerful, and wealthy nobleman of Venice, he is a middle-aged man and a merchant by trade who has his financial interests tied […]

Entry Antonio (The Merchant of Venice)
Description 

Antonio is the title character in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. An influential, powerful, and wealthy nobleman of Venice, he is a middle-aged man and a merchant by trade who has his financial interests tied […]

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Antonio (The Tempest)

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Category Antonio (The Tempest)
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In William Shakespeare’s comedy The Tempest (believed to have been written and performed circa 1610, but not published until 1623), Antonio is the brother of the wizard Prospero and is notable for having usurped his […]

Entry Antonio (The Tempest)
Description 

In William Shakespeare’s comedy The Tempest (believed to have been written and performed circa 1610, but not published until 1623), Antonio is the brother of the wizard Prospero and is notable for having usurped his […]

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Antonio (Twelfth Night)

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Antonio is a sea captain who rescued Viola’s twin brother Sebastian after the twins shipwrecked off the coast of Illyria (in the Balkan Peninsula), and nurtured him back to health, helping him recover from the […]

Entry Antonio (Twelfth Night)
Description 

Antonio is a sea captain who rescued Viola’s twin brother Sebastian after the twins shipwrecked off the coast of Illyria (in the Balkan Peninsula), and nurtured him back to health, helping him recover from the […]

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Ariel

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Category Ariel
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Ariel is an elemental air spirit who inhabited the island where the wizard Prospero was exiled in William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Prior to Prospero’s arrival, Ariel was enslaved by the evil witch Sycorax, who had […]

Entry Ariel
Description 

Ariel is an elemental air spirit who inhabited the island where the wizard Prospero was exiled in William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Prior to Prospero’s arrival, Ariel was enslaved by the evil witch Sycorax, who had […]

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Beatrice

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Category Beatrice
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Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy by William Shakespeare thought to have been written in 1598 and 1599. The play was included in the First Folio, published in 1623. The play is set in […]

Entry Beatrice
Description 

Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy by William Shakespeare thought to have been written in 1598 and 1599. The play was included in the First Folio, published in 1623. The play is set in […]

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Benedick

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Category Benedick
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Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy by William Shakespeare thought to have been written in 1598 and 1599. The play was included in the First Folio, published in 1623. The play is set in […]

Entry Benedick
Description 

Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy by William Shakespeare thought to have been written in 1598 and 1599. The play was included in the First Folio, published in 1623. The play is set in […]

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Bottom

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Category Bottom
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Nick Bottom is a character in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream who provides comic relief throughout the play. A weaver by trade, he is famously known for getting his head transformed into that of a […]

Entry Bottom
Description 

Nick Bottom is a character in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream who provides comic relief throughout the play. A weaver by trade, he is famously known for getting his head transformed into that of a […]

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Brutus

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Category Brutus
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The Tragedy of Julius Caesar (First Folio title: The Tragedie of Ivlivs Cæsar), often shortened to Julius Caesar, is a historical tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written and first performed in 1599. […]

Entry Brutus
Description 

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar (First Folio title: The Tragedie of Ivlivs Cæsar), often shortened to Julius Caesar, is a historical tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written and first performed in 1599. […]

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Caliban

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Category Caliban
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Caliban was a deformed beast, son of the witch Sycorax, who had lived in exile on a small remote island. After Sycorax died, Caliban lived alone on the island, until the day Prospero and his […]

Entry Caliban
Description 

Caliban was a deformed beast, son of the witch Sycorax, who had lived in exile on a small remote island. After Sycorax died, Caliban lived alone on the island, until the day Prospero and his […]

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Cassius

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Category Cassius
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The Tragedy of Julius Caesar (First Folio title: The Tragedie of Ivlivs Cæsar), often shortened to Julius Caesar, is a historical tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written and first performed in 1599. […]

Entry Cassius
Description 

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar (First Folio title: The Tragedie of Ivlivs Cæsar), often shortened to Julius Caesar, is a historical tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written and first performed in 1599. […]

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Claudius

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King Claudius is a fictional character and the main antagonist of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet. He is the brother to King Hamlet, second husband to Gertrude and uncle and later stepfather to Prince Hamlet. He […]

Entry Claudius
Description 

King Claudius is a fictional character and the main antagonist of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet. He is the brother to King Hamlet, second husband to Gertrude and uncle and later stepfather to Prince Hamlet. He […]

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Cordelia

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Category Cordelia
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Cordelia is a fictional character in William Shakespeare’s tragic play King Lear. Cordelia is the youngest of King Lear’s three daughters and his favorite. After her elderly father offers her the opportunity to profess her […]

Entry Cordelia
Description 

Cordelia is a fictional character in William Shakespeare’s tragic play King Lear. Cordelia is the youngest of King Lear’s three daughters and his favorite. After her elderly father offers her the opportunity to profess her […]

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Desdemona

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Category Desdemona
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Desdemona is a Venetian beauty who enrages and disappoints her father, a Venetian senator, when she elopes with Othello, a Moorish Venetian military prodigy. When her husband is deployed to Cyprus in the service of […]

Entry Desdemona
Description 

Desdemona is a Venetian beauty who enrages and disappoints her father, a Venetian senator, when she elopes with Othello, a Moorish Venetian military prodigy. When her husband is deployed to Cyprus in the service of […]

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Edmund

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Edmund is a fictional character and the main antagonist in William Shakespeare’s King Lear. He is the illegitimate son of the Earl of Gloucester, and the younger brother of Edgar, the Earl’s legitimate son. In […]

Entry Edmund
Description 

Edmund is a fictional character and the main antagonist in William Shakespeare’s King Lear. He is the illegitimate son of the Earl of Gloucester, and the younger brother of Edgar, the Earl’s legitimate son. In […]

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Fool (Shakespeare)

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The Shakespearean fool is a recurring character type in the works of William Shakespeare. They are usually clever peasants or commoners who use their wits to outdo people of higher social standing. In this sense, […]

Entry Fool (Shakespeare)
Description 

The Shakespearean fool is a recurring character type in the works of William Shakespeare. They are usually clever peasants or commoners who use their wits to outdo people of higher social standing. In this sense, […]

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Ghost (Hamlet)

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The ghost of Hamlet’s father is a character from William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. In the stage directions, he is referred to as “Ghost”. His name is also Hamlet, and he is referred to as King […]

Entry Ghost (Hamlet)
Description 

The ghost of Hamlet’s father is a character from William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. In the stage directions, he is referred to as “Ghost”. His name is also Hamlet, and he is referred to as King […]

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Goneril

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Category Goneril
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Goneril is a character in William Shakespeare’s tragic play King Lear (1605). She is the eldest of King Lear’s three daughters. Along with her sister Regan, Goneril is considered a villain, obsessed with power and […]

Entry Goneril
Description 

Goneril is a character in William Shakespeare’s tragic play King Lear (1605). She is the eldest of King Lear’s three daughters. Along with her sister Regan, Goneril is considered a villain, obsessed with power and […]

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Hamlet

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Category Hamlet
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Prince Hamlet is the title character and protagonist of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet (1599–1601). He is the Prince of Denmark, nephew of the usurping Claudius, and son of King Hamlet, the previous King of Denmark. […]

Entry Hamlet
Description 

Prince Hamlet is the title character and protagonist of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet (1599–1601). He is the Prince of Denmark, nephew of the usurping Claudius, and son of King Hamlet, the previous King of Denmark. […]

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Hermia

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Category Hermia
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Hermia is a fictional character from Shakespeare’s play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She is a girl of ancient Athens named for Hermes, the Greek god of trade. Hermia is caught in a romantic entanglement where […]

Entry Hermia
Description 

Hermia is a fictional character from Shakespeare’s play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She is a girl of ancient Athens named for Hermes, the Greek god of trade. Hermia is caught in a romantic entanglement where […]

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Hero

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Category Hero
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Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy by William Shakespeare thought to have been written in 1598 and 1599. The play was included in the First Folio, published in 1623. The play is set in […]

Entry Hero
Description 

Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy by William Shakespeare thought to have been written in 1598 and 1599. The play was included in the First Folio, published in 1623. The play is set in […]

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Iago

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Category Iago
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Iago is one of Shakespeare’s most sinister villains, often considered such because of the unique trust that Othello places in him, which he betrays while maintaining his reputation for honesty and dedication. Shakespeare contrasts Iago […]

Entry Iago
Description 

Iago is one of Shakespeare’s most sinister villains, often considered such because of the unique trust that Othello places in him, which he betrays while maintaining his reputation for honesty and dedication. Shakespeare contrasts Iago […]

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Jessica

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Jessica is the daughter of Shylock and later the wife of Lorenzo in William Shakespeare’s 16th-century play The Merchant of Venice, in which a merchant in Venice named Antonio defaults on a large loan provided […]

Entry Jessica
Description 

Jessica is the daughter of Shylock and later the wife of Lorenzo in William Shakespeare’s 16th-century play The Merchant of Venice, in which a merchant in Venice named Antonio defaults on a large loan provided […]

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Juliet

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Juliet Capulet is the female protagonist in William Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy Romeo and Juliet. A 13-year-old girl, Juliet is the only daughter of the patriarch of the House of Capulet. She falls in love with […]

Entry Juliet
Description 

Juliet Capulet is the female protagonist in William Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy Romeo and Juliet. A 13-year-old girl, Juliet is the only daughter of the patriarch of the House of Capulet. She falls in love with […]

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Julius Caesar

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Category Julius Caesar
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The Tragedy of Julius Caesar (First Folio title: The Tragedie of Ivlivs Cæsar), often shortened to Julius Caesar, is a historical tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written and first performed in 1599. […]

Entry Julius Caesar
Description 

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar (First Folio title: The Tragedie of Ivlivs Cæsar), often shortened to Julius Caesar, is a historical tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written and first performed in 1599. […]

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King Lear

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Category King Lear
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Leir was a legendary king of the Britons whose story was recounted by Geoffrey of Monmouth in his pseudohistorical 12th-century History of the Kings of Britain. According to Geoffrey’s genealogy of the British dynasty, Leir […]

Entry King Lear
Description 

Leir was a legendary king of the Britons whose story was recounted by Geoffrey of Monmouth in his pseudohistorical 12th-century History of the Kings of Britain. According to Geoffrey’s genealogy of the British dynasty, Leir […]

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Lady Macbeth

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Category Lady Macbeth
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Lady Macbeth is a leading character in William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth (c. 1603–1607). As the wife of the play’s tragic hero, Macbeth (a Scottish nobleman), Lady Macbeth goads her husband into committing regicide, after which she […]

Entry Lady Macbeth
Description 

Lady Macbeth is a leading character in William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth (c. 1603–1607). As the wife of the play’s tragic hero, Macbeth (a Scottish nobleman), Lady Macbeth goads her husband into committing regicide, after which she […]

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Lorenzo (The Merchant of Venice)

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Category Lorenzo (The Merchant of Venice)
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Lorenzo is a character from The Merchant of Venice, a 16th-century play written by William Shakespeare in which a merchant in Venice named Antonio defaults on a large loan provided by a Jewish moneylender, Shylock. […]

Entry Lorenzo (The Merchant of Venice)
Description 

Lorenzo is a character from The Merchant of Venice, a 16th-century play written by William Shakespeare in which a merchant in Venice named Antonio defaults on a large loan provided by a Jewish moneylender, Shylock. […]

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Lysander

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Category Lysander
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Lysander is a fictional character in William Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A handsome young man of Athens, Lysander is in love with Egeus’s daughter Hermia. However, Egeus does not approve of Lysander and […]

Entry Lysander
Description 

Lysander is a fictional character in William Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A handsome young man of Athens, Lysander is in love with Egeus’s daughter Hermia. However, Egeus does not approve of Lysander and […]

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Macbeth

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Category Macbeth
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Lord Macbeth, the Thane of Glamis and quickly the Thane of Cawdor, is the title character and main protagonist in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth (c. 1603–1607). The character is loosely based on the historical king Macbeth […]

Entry Macbeth
Description 

Lord Macbeth, the Thane of Glamis and quickly the Thane of Cawdor, is the title character and main protagonist in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth (c. 1603–1607). The character is loosely based on the historical king Macbeth […]

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Mark Antony

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Category Mark Antony
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The Tragedy of Julius Caesar (First Folio title: The Tragedie of Ivlivs Cæsar), often shortened to Julius Caesar, is a historical tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written and first performed in 1599. […]

Entry Mark Antony
Description 

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar (First Folio title: The Tragedie of Ivlivs Cæsar), often shortened to Julius Caesar, is a historical tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written and first performed in 1599. […]

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Miranda

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Category Miranda
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Miranda is one of the principal characters of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. She is the only female character to appear on stage. Miranda is the daughter of Prospero, another of the main characters of The […]

Entry Miranda
Description 

Miranda is one of the principal characters of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. She is the only female character to appear on stage. Miranda is the daughter of Prospero, another of the main characters of The […]

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Oberon

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Oberon is a king of the fairies in medieval and Renaissance literature. He is best known as a character in William Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream, in which he is King of the Fairies […]

Entry Oberon
Description 

Oberon is a king of the fairies in medieval and Renaissance literature. He is best known as a character in William Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream, in which he is King of the Fairies […]

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Olivia

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Category Olivia
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Twelfth Night, or What You Will is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written around 1601–1602 as a Twelfth Night entertainment for the close of the Christmas season. The play centres […]

Entry Olivia
Description 

Twelfth Night, or What You Will is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written around 1601–1602 as a Twelfth Night entertainment for the close of the Christmas season. The play centres […]

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Ophelia

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Category Ophelia
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Ophelia is a character in William Shakespeare’s drama Hamlet (1599–1601). She is a young noblewoman of Denmark, the daughter of Polonius, sister of Laertes and potential wife of Prince Hamlet. Due to Hamlet’s actions, Ophelia […]

Entry Ophelia
Description 

Ophelia is a character in William Shakespeare’s drama Hamlet (1599–1601). She is a young noblewoman of Denmark, the daughter of Polonius, sister of Laertes and potential wife of Prince Hamlet. Due to Hamlet’s actions, Ophelia […]

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Othello

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Category Othello
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Othello is a Venetian general. After their time in Venice, Othello is appointed general in the Venetian Army. His officer Iago tricks him into believing that his wife Desdemona is having an affair with his […]

Entry Othello
Description 

Othello is a Venetian general. After their time in Venice, Othello is appointed general in the Venetian Army. His officer Iago tricks him into believing that his wife Desdemona is having an affair with his […]

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Polonius

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Category Polonius
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Polonius is a character in William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. He is the chief counsellor of the play’s ultimate villain, Claudius, and the father of Laertes and Ophelia. Generally regarded as wrong in every judgment he […]

Entry Polonius
Description 

Polonius is a character in William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. He is the chief counsellor of the play’s ultimate villain, Claudius, and the father of Laertes and Ophelia. Generally regarded as wrong in every judgment he […]

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Prospero

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Category Prospero
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Prospero is the protagonist of William Shakespeare’s play The Tempest. Prospero is the rightful Duke of Milan, whose usurping brother, Antonio, had put him (with his three-year-old daughter, Miranda) to sea on a “rotten carcass” […]

Entry Prospero
Description 

Prospero is the protagonist of William Shakespeare’s play The Tempest. Prospero is the rightful Duke of Milan, whose usurping brother, Antonio, had put him (with his three-year-old daughter, Miranda) to sea on a “rotten carcass” […]

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Puck (Folklore)

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Category Puck (Folklore)
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In English folklore, Puck, sometimes known as Robin Goodfellow, is a domestic and nature sprite, demon, or fairy. According to Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898), “[Robin Goodfellow is a] ‘drudging fiend’, and merry […]

Entry Puck (Folklore)
Description 

In English folklore, Puck, sometimes known as Robin Goodfellow, is a domestic and nature sprite, demon, or fairy. According to Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898), “[Robin Goodfellow is a] ‘drudging fiend’, and merry […]

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Regan

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Category Regan
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Regan is a fictional character in William Shakespeare’s tragic play King Lear, named after a King of the Britons recorded by the medieval scribe Geoffrey of Monmouth. Shakespeare based the character on Regan, a personage […]

Entry Regan
Description 

Regan is a fictional character in William Shakespeare’s tragic play King Lear, named after a King of the Britons recorded by the medieval scribe Geoffrey of Monmouth. Shakespeare based the character on Regan, a personage […]

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Romeo

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Category Romeo
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Romeo Montague is the male protagonist of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. The son of Lord Montague and his wife, Lady Montague, he secretly loves and marries Juliet, a member of the rival House […]

Entry Romeo
Description 

Romeo Montague is the male protagonist of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. The son of Lord Montague and his wife, Lady Montague, he secretly loves and marries Juliet, a member of the rival House […]

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Sebastian

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Category Sebastian
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Twelfth Night, or What You Will is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written around 1601–1602 as a Twelfth Night entertainment for the close of the Christmas season. The play centres […]

Entry Sebastian
Description 

Twelfth Night, or What You Will is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written around 1601–1602 as a Twelfth Night entertainment for the close of the Christmas season. The play centres […]

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Shylock

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Category Shylock
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In The Merchant of Venice, Shylock is a Jewish moneylender who lends to his Christian rival, Antonio, setting the security at a pound of Antonio’s flesh. When a bankrupt Antonio defaults on the loan, Shylock […]

Entry Shylock
Description 

In The Merchant of Venice, Shylock is a Jewish moneylender who lends to his Christian rival, Antonio, setting the security at a pound of Antonio’s flesh. When a bankrupt Antonio defaults on the loan, Shylock […]

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Sycorax

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Category Sycorax
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Sycorax is an unseen character in William Shakespeare’s play The Tempest (1611). She was a vicious, powerful witch, the now-deceased mother of Caliban, one of the few native inhabitants of the island on which Prospero […]

Entry Sycorax
Description 

Sycorax is an unseen character in William Shakespeare’s play The Tempest (1611). She was a vicious, powerful witch, the now-deceased mother of Caliban, one of the few native inhabitants of the island on which Prospero […]

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Three Witches

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Category Three Witches
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The Three Witches, also known as the Weird Sisters, Weyward Sisters or Wayward Sisters, are characters in William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth (c. 1603–1607). The witches eventually lead Macbeth to his demise, and they hold a […]

Entry Three Witches
Description 

The Three Witches, also known as the Weird Sisters, Weyward Sisters or Wayward Sisters, are characters in William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth (c. 1603–1607). The witches eventually lead Macbeth to his demise, and they hold a […]

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Titania

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Category Titania
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Titania is a character in William Shakespeare’s 1595–1596 play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In the play, she is the Queen of the fairies and wife of the Fairy King, Oberon. The pair are depicted as […]

Entry Titania
Description 

Titania is a character in William Shakespeare’s 1595–1596 play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In the play, she is the Queen of the fairies and wife of the Fairy King, Oberon. The pair are depicted as […]

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Viola

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Category Viola
Includes 

Twelfth Night, or What You Will is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written around 1601–1602 as a Twelfth Night entertainment for the close of the Christmas season. The play centres […]

Entry Viola
Description 

Twelfth Night, or What You Will is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written around 1601–1602 as a Twelfth Night entertainment for the close of the Christmas season. The play centres […]