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John Millen

Shakespeare's works are timeless classics which illuminate the human condition with as much force as ever
Tragedy, comedy, history
William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is the most famous playwright the world has ever known. 
He wrote 37 plays, which were first performed in London in the 1590s and early 1600s. 
Unlike many other playwrights, Shakespeare did not stick to just writing one type of play. His vast talent allowed him to try his hand at different genres. 
He wrote tragedies like Romeo and Juliet, comedies like A Midsummer Night's Dream, and dramatic historical classics like Richard III. 
History for playgoers
Shakespeare's works include 10 historical plays, seven of which feature English kings from John (1166-1216) to Henry VIII (1491-1547). 
Shakespeare didn't try to give a wholly accurate picture of history in his plays. Rather, he changed some facts for dramatic effect.
Shakespeare's plays may not be historically correct in places, but they are certainly as thrilling for audiences today as they were for theatregoers when 'the Bard' first wrote them. 
A desperate king
Richard III is one of Shakespeare's best-known historical plays. Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey recently starred in a production of the drama in Hong Kong. 
Richard, a hunchbacked cripple, was king of England for just two years (1483-85). Even as he sat on the throne, Richard knew he did so as a usurper - one who seized it by force. 
When King Edward IV died in 1483, his son Edward V was the rightful heir, but Edward was just 13 and too young to rule. 
Richard, who was Edward IV's brother, had  the teenager and his  younger brother imprisoned in the Tower of London. The two boys were never seen again. 
With them out of the way, Richard was next in line for the throne. He  crowned himself Richard III in 1483. 
Yet right from the start, his hold on power was weak. Everyone suspected he had had his nephews murdered. Richard was soon killed at the Battle of Bosworth by the Welsh prince Henry Tudor. 
Henry took the throne as King Henry VII. He was the last king to gain the throne of England on the battlefield. 
Everyday Shakespeare
People around the world quote lines from Shakespeare's plays even though they may not be aware of it. His expressions  were so clever and memorable that they have passed into everyday English. 
Here are five phrases from Shakespeare's plays that are still used in everyday conversations. What do they mean?
1 'as dead as a doornail'
 a. to feel exhausted
 b. to be  definitely dead
2 'to do something in one fell swoop'
 a. to do something efficiently and quickly  
 b. to do something very carefully
3 'to be in a pickle'
 a. to be in a happy mood
 b. to be in a difficult situation
4 'I haven't slept one wink'
 a. I haven't slept at all (during the night).
 b. I haven't had my usual afternoon nap.
5 'Send him packing!'
 a. Tell him to go away and leave you alone.
 b. Tell him you will see him again next week.
Answers:
1. b, 2. a, 3. b, 4. a, 5. a



The Bard who rewrote history - for the better