By William Shakespeare

Thought to have been written in 1598 and 1599 Was included in the First Folio, published in 1623 Considered one of Shakespeare's best comedies

Plot At Messina, a messenger brings news that Don Pedro, a prince from Aragon, will return this night from a successful battle, Claudio being among his soldiers. Beatrice, Leonato's niece, asks the messenger about Benedick, and makes sarcastic remarks about his ineptitude as a soldier. Leonato explains that "There is a kind of merry war betwixt Signior Benedick and her. Upon the arrival of the soldiers, Leonato welcomes Don Pedro and invites him to stay for a month, Benedick and Beatrice resume their "merry war," and Pedro's illegitimate brother Don John is introduced. Claudio's feelings for Hero, Leonato's only daughter, are rekindled upon seeing her, and Claudio soon announces to Benedick his intention to court her. Benedick, who openly despises marriage, tries to dissuade his friend but Don Pedro encourages the marriage. Benedick swears that he will never get married. Don Pedro laughs at him and tells him that when he has found the right person he shall get married.

Characters Benedick, A lord and soldier from Padua; companion of Don Pedro Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon. Don John, "the Bastard Prince," brother of Don Pedro. Claudio, of Florence; a count, companion of Don Pedro, friend to Benedick. Leonato, governor of Messina; Hero's father Antonio, brother of Leonato. Balthasar, attendant on Don Pedro, a singer. Borachio, follower of Don John. Conrade, follower of Don John. Innogen, a ghost character in early editions as Leonato's wife Beatrice, niece of Leonato.

Originally published in the First Folio of 1623 Some modern editors have relabelled the play as one of Shakespeare's late romances Some critics consider it to be one of Shakespeare's "problem plays"

Plot Robert Greene's pastoral roman ce Pandosto Changes in names, places, and minor plot details As in Pericles, he uses a chorus to advance the action in the manner of the naive dramatic tradition

Characters Leontes – The King of Sicily, and the childhood friend of the Bohemian King Polixenes. Hermione – The virtuous and beautiful Queen of Sicily. Camillo – An honest Sicilian nobleman. Paulina – A noblewoman of Sicily. Antigonus – Paulina's husband, and also a loyal friend of Hermione. Dion – A lord of Sicily. Cleomenes – A Sicilian lord. Mamillius – The young prince of Sicily, Leontes and Hermione's son. Emilia – One of Hermione's ladies-in- waiting. Gaoler – Charged with imprisoning Hermione. Mariner – His ship takes Antigonus to Bohemia.

Believed to have been written in 1599 and first published in the First Folio, 1623 A performance at Wilton House in 1603 has been suggested as a possibility "A fool! A fool! I met a fool in the forest"

Plot Forest of Arden Frederick has usurped the Duchy and exiled his older brother, Duke Senior Rosalind speaks an epilogue to the audience, commending the play to both men and women in the audience

Characters Duke Frederick, Duke Senior's younger brother and his usurper, also Celia's father Rosalind, Duke Senior's daughter Celia, Duke Frederick's daughter and Rosalind's cousin Touchstone, a court fool or jester Le Beau, a courtier Charles, a wrestler Lords and ladies in Duke Frederick's court

Questions Why was Much Ado About Nothing named the best one? Name three main characters of The Winter's Tale What are the key moments of As You Like It What do you think about William Shakespeares works? Have you ever seen one of his plays?