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      Some of Shakespeare’s characters are people we might chance to meet very often in our life.

      Benedick, a soldier, is such a man. Benedick swore that he would not marry ever. However, when he overheard that he was loved by Beatrice, who had been openly despising and ridiculing him, he changed his mind.

      Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing is another comedy that deals with people of unrequited love and adoration.

      Don Pedro, a prince from Aragon, tried to woo Hero, daughter of Leonato, governor of Messina on behalf of Claudio, Don’s friend. His illegitimate brother was villainous and tried to belittle him and ruin Claudio’s relationship with Hero. He also humiliated Hero publically. Hero’s death was faked in order to convince Claudio of her true love. Finally, the truth was revealed and the wedding between Claudio and Hero took place.

      Beatrice and Benedick also married each other. The villain was captured and punished. In the last scene, Don Pedro, lonely and unloved, is given advice by Benedick and it is a famous phrase:’ get thee a wife’.

      The play was probably written between 1598 and 1599.

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      A favourite play among audiences, As You Like it is a comedy by Shakespeare.

      Orlando was the youngest son of Sir Roland de Boys and was ill-treated by his brother Oliver. When Orlando responded to a challenge for a duel by the Duke’s wrestler, Charles, Oliver instructed Charles to injure Orlando in the fight.

      The Duke’s daughter, Celia, and her cousin, Rosalind, watched the fight and Rosalind fell in love with Orlando. Orlando won the match; however, the Duke was enraged when he learned that Orlando was the son of his old enemy, Sir Roland de Boys. The Duke unexpectedly banished Rosalind and she decided to find her father, the real Duke, who has been overthrown by his brother, Celia’s father, Frederick. Together with the court jester, Touchstone, the girls set out, disguised as a country boy, Ganymede, and his sister, Aliena.

      Incidentally, Orlando, fearing for his life, had also left home, accompanied by his father’s servant, Adam. A forest became the meeting place for the lovers and enemies. Orlando and Oliver helped each other and became close again. Other characters found their partners and married each other. In the end, there is a joyful dance celebrating the marriages and love and harmony among them all.

      A very popular phrase from this Shakespearean comedy is ‘All the world’s a stage. And all the men and women merely players.’

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      Have you ever impersonated or cross-dressed to bluff someone? Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night tells the story of a young woman who had to wear a man’s clothing in order to survive.

      Although subtitles for plays were fashionable during the Elizabethan era, the only Shakespearean play to bear a subtitle is Twelfth Night with ‘or’ ‘What you Will’

     Viola and Sebastian, two siblings, were shipwrecked and were separated in the process. Each of them thought that the other did not survive the accident. Viola impersonated as a man named Cesario and started working under Duke Orsino, who was in love with Olivia. Olivia was in mourning after the demises of her parents and had pledged not to marry for seven years. When Cesario approached Olivia for Orsino, Olivia fell in love with Cesario instead of Orsino. The love triangle is a recurring image of the play.

      Sebastian, on the other hand, was rescued by Antonio. He was met by newer characters in the play such as Sir Toy, Sir Andrew and Malvolio. Malvolio was tricked by Belch and Maria into believing that Olivia was in love with him. As the story panned out, the brother and sister recognized one another and were reunited. At the end, Orsino and Viola pledge their love, Olivia and Sebastian remain satisfactorily wed, and Olivia rebukes Belch and Maria for their abuse of Malvolio.

      You may have heard the following lines from the play as they are often quoted by music lovers:

      'If music be the food of love, play on,

      Give me excess of it; that surfeiting,

      The appetite may sicken, and so die.

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