Titus Andronicus Play

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 Saturninus over Bassanius to be the new Emperor. Saturninus now makes Titus’ daughter Lavinia his new empress despite her preferring Bassanius. Amongst the general’s prisoners are Queen Tamara and sons Alarbus, Demetrius and Chiron. Alarbus is quickly slain by Titus’ sons to appease the Roman Gods. Tamara curses all Romans as a result.

Saturninus falls in love with Tamara at first sight and who sets her sons free… Bassanius then declares his love of Lavinia, Titus telling 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…

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.

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 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…

Romeo and Juliet Play

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 (Montague) and Tybalt (Capulet). Escalus, the Prince of Verona declares a death penalty for further feuding between the two families… Meanwhile Capulet (Juliet’s father) is keen for Paris to marry his daughter and plans a party, Romeo and friends deciding to turn up uninvited… At the Capulet party, Romeo disguised by a mask, falls in love with Juliet, both quickly learning that they are the enemies of each other’s family…

Ignoring the danger, Romeo scales the Capulet’s wall to be near Juliet 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.

Othello Play

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 relationship with Othello, infuriating Brabantio. Othello explains how he and Desdemona fell in love, the two marrying. Othello is ordered to Cypress to fight the Turks. Roderigo gives up on Desdemona but Iago tells him not to since he wants to keep taking his money. Iago explains his plan to avenge Othello by suggesting Cassio is sleeping with Desdemona. Iago tells Roderigo he still has a chance with Desdemona but Cassio stands in his way.

Iago informs Othello that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona. 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…

Macbeth Play

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 decides to make Macbeth his new Thane of Cawdor. The previous Thane of Cawdor will be executed. Meeting Macbeth and friend Banquo, The Three Witches tell Macbeth that he will be “Thane of Glamis!”, “Thane of Cawdor!” and “king hereafter” or become King of Scotland. Banquo learns his descendants shall be kings. Banquo fears the Three Witches. Macbeth privately reveals his belief in them, 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 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…

King Lear Play

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 defend her. Cordelia is taken by the King of France as his Queen… Edmund, the trusted but illegitimate son of the Earl of Gloucester, plots against brother Edgar. Things quickly go bad for Lear, Goneril conspiring to have him driven out of her house. Kent, disguised so he can still serve King Lear, earns his respect by defending him. Goneril offends her father, dismissing fifty of his knights. Lear starts to realise 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 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…

Julius Caesar Play

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 this day. It is ignored… Cassius, fearing Caesar’s ever growing power, begins to recruit Brutus, a close friend of Caesar’s, towards his conspiracy to assassinate him by implying that Caesar is becoming too powerful… Brutus is suspicious of Cassius’ motives… Casca, another conspirator, reveals to Brutus information suggesting Cassius’ fears may be real…

To ensure Brutus joins his conspiracy, Cassius has Cinna place some forged letters where Brutus will find them, convincing Brutus to join 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…”

Hamlet Play

Hamlet begins with the news King Hamlet of Denmark has recently died. Denmark is now preparing for possible war with Young Fortinbras of Norway. A ghost resembling the late King is spotted near Elsinore Castle. King Claudius, who now rules Denmark, has married Queen Gertrude, the late King’s wife. Hamlet, the late King’s son, does not trust the new King nor does he approve of his mother Queen Gertrude remarrying so quickly after his father’s death… Polonius warns his daughter Ophelia against falling in love with Hamlet; fearing he will only break her heart.

Hamlet meets the Ghost of his father, who reveals he was poisoned by King Claudius and who tells him to avenge his death but not to punish Queen Gertrude for remarrying since it is not his place. Polonius learns from Ophelia that a badly dressed Hamlet met her, studied her face and promptly left, Polonius believing this odd behaviour is because Ophelia rejected him as he instructed her to. Concearned, King Claudius instructs courtiers Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy for him on his son in law. Queen Gertrude believes the cause is her recent remarriage and the death of his father.

Hamlet is eager for King Claudius and Queen Gertrude to watch a play he has added some lines to which he hopes will reveal if the Ghost’s words about King Claudius are true… Hamlet begins to suspect Ophelia is spying on him and is increasingly hostile to her. The play is performed. The mime preceding the play which mimics the Ghost’s description of the late King’s death goes unnoticed. The main play called “The Murder of Gonzago” is performed, causing King Claudius to react in a way which proves the Ghost’s words were true… Alone, King Claudius reveals his guilt… Queen Gertrude attempts to scold her son over the play but is instead scolded for remarrying. Queen Gertrude cries out in fear, Polonius echoing it and being stabbed through the curtain where he was listening in. Hamlet continues scolding his mother but the Ghost reappears, telling him to be gentle with the Queen. Queen Gertrude agrees to stop living with King Claudius…

King Claudius learns of Polonius’ murder, shocked that it could easily have been him. Queen Gertrude lies for her son, saying that he is mad. King Claudius, now scared, decides to have Hamlet sent away to England immediately, King Claudius revealing his plan to have him killed there. Young Fortinbras marches across Denmark. Hamlet wishes he was courageous like Fortinbras, questioning how he cannot fight when his father has been murdered and his mother made a whore by marrying King Claudius. Ophelia who goes mad from the grief of losing her father… King Claudius meets Laertes, telling him that Hamlet killed his father, the two then plotting to kill him at a fencing match.

At Ophelia’s burial, Hamlet fights Laertes over Ophelia’s grave, each believing they loved her more. Hamlet explains to his only trusted friend Horatio how he avoided the death planned for him in England and had Rosencrantz and Guildenstern killed instead, revealing his desire to kill King Claudius. Queen Gertrude drinks a poisoned cup meant for her son, dying but not before revealing she was poisoned. Hamlet fences against Laertes but is cut by Laertes sword. The two switch swords and Laertes is cut by his own sword, Laertes explaining that his sword was poison tipped. Now dying, Hamlet stabs King Claudius with this same sword, killing him and telling Horatio to tell his story and not to commit suicide, recommending Young Fortinbras as the next King of Denmark. Young Fortinbras arrives, Horatio promising to tell his friend’s story.

Coriolanus Play

Coriolanus, meaning “conqueror of Corioli” tells the story of a Caius Marcius, a heroic Roman soldier in the 5th Century BC who gains this name for a victory at Corioli. Preferring the simple life of a soldier, Caius Marcius shuns fame and the petty politics of Rome. Famine however has gripped Rome and many believe Rome’s rulers, the Patricians are responsible and are hoarding food. Caius Marcius in particular is blamed, but crisis is averted when it is learned the Volscians intend to capture Rome. Ever the warrior, Caius Marcius leads the attack on the Volscian city of Corioli, some three days distant.

The war does not go well, the Volscians initially turning the Romans back. Only Caius Marcius keeps fighting, his courage inspiring his troops to rejoin the battle. During this battle, Caius Marcius fights Aufidius, the Volscian leader but he flees, denying Marcus victory over a worthy opponent. Victorious, Caius Marcius brings glory to Rome and in particular his mother Volumnia who sees her son as a means of securing personal prestige in Rome. Caius Marcius’ wife Virgilia hates bloodshed and is delighted to have her husband back.

Returning to Rome, and to his ambitious mother’s supreme delight, the Senate nominates him to be a consul, one of just two men who have supreme power over Rome. However, to be consul, Caius Marcius must ask the common people for this honor. Supremely proud, Caius Marcius reluctantly asks or in Marcius’ eyes begs to be made a tribune representing the citizens of Rome. Unfortunately fellow tribunes Sicinius Velutus and Junius Brutus see Caius Marcius becoming too popular, too powerful and fearing him, incite the citizens of Rome to have Caius Marcius put to death. Enraged at this betrayal, he leaves his Rome for Antium where he decides to help Aufidius and the Volsces conquer Rome and its empire.

Aufidius is touched by Caius Marcius’ betrayal, agreeing that this is not how soldiers should be treated.Together the empire is largely defeated and Rome itself is under threat. The Romans try to convince Caius Marcius not to attack, old friend Menenius failing to dissuade the angry soldier. Volumnia, playing on Caius Marcius’ love for his wife Virgilia and his son, and on bended knee, however is more successful, convincing her son to make peace rather than war. This earns Volumnia prestige as the savior of Rome.

Now at peace, Marcius with Aufidius returns to Corioli but Aufidius notices that Caius Marcius is more popular with his people and soldiers alike than he is. Aufidius uses the fact that the fact that the Volscians have not conquered Rome to justify murdering the conquerer of Corioli, Caius Marcius right in view of the Lords of Corioli. His rage spent, Aufidius realises what he had done, killed a noble soldier not unlike himself. Overcome with remorse, Aufidius gives Caius Marcius a proper burial, and decides that Caius Marcius shall be remembered as a great soldier, creating a memorial in Caius Marcius’ honor.

Antony and Cleopatra Play

Antony and Cleopatra begins with just Antony and Octavius Caesar (also called Caesar) ruling the entire Western world, Lepidus the third member of the Roman trumviarate leaving. Antony, in theory rules the eastern Roman empire, but though married to Fluvia, chooses to live in Alexandria, Egypt with his mistress, Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. Octavius is not impressed…. Caesar (Octavius) feels his friend is too distracted by the Egyptian Queen and perhaps his interests no longer lie where they should as Antony spends more and more time with Cleopatra… Octavius summons Antony back to Rome, Antony refusing, only returning to Rome under the threat of war with Pompey and when his wife Fulvia dies.

Back in Rome, the two rulers of the Roman empire try to make peace again through the marriage of Octavius’ sister Octavia to Antony. This only delays a growing tension between the two rulers. Trouble between the two quickly returns when Antony abandons Octavia to be with his lover once more. Furious at this affront, Caesar decides to settle this with his army, determined to take back Egypt in revenge.

With the stronger and more experienced army, Caesar quickly starts to defeat his old friend. Octavia tries to end this feud but is once again abandoned by her husband for his mistress. Octavius is now even more enraged. Cleopatra, meanwhile convinces her lover to accept Caesar’s challenge to fight not on land but at sea, Antony ignoring the advise of his aides suggesting he should do otherwise. During the epic naval battle, Cleopatra deserts the battlefield, Antony foolishly following, giving Caesar victory at the Battle of Actium.

Now in a postion of strength, Caesar refuses his old friend’s pleas for peace instead trying to break up Antony and Cleopatra by allowing Cleopatra to remain Queen of Egypt should she kill her lover. Cleopatra does not agree, Caesar’s army fighting his friend and now rival on land to Caesar’s ultimate defeat, the two facing off the next day. When Egyptian forces retreat once again from the battlefield, Antony calls his lover a traitor and threatens to kill her.

To save her life, Cleopatra runs to her tomb, telling her attendants to proclaim her death. Caesar has victory in sight, Antony’s best friend Enobarbus, even abandoning him to join Caesar’s side. Stung with guilt, Enobarbus kills himself soon thereafter. Knowing he will soon be beaten and grieving the loss of his beloved Queen, Antony asks friend Eros to kill him, only to fall on his sword instead when Eros takes his own life rather than kill his friend. Though dying, his servants bring him before Cleopatra where he professes his deep love for her before passing away. Caesar too grieves the loss of his once close friend, promising the Queen mercy but planning on her parading her as a war prize, humiliating her. Fearing such a life under Caesar’s control, and still grieving the death of her lover, she kills herself by letting poisonous asps (snakes) bite her, her attendants quickly follow suit, Chairman (1st Attendant) committing suicide by asp whilst second attendant Iras, dies from the shock and grief of losing her Queen. In an act of kindness, Caesar allows the two lovers to be buried together. Caesar now alone, rules the entire Roman empire…