The moral of this shakespearean tale? always trust your primary sources!

Did you know that Thomas Müntzer, leader of the German Peasants’ War in 1525, used a rainbow flag to rally his followers? It’s an aptly exuberant image for the radical charisma of Müntzer, and for the

Throughout his career, our columnist has relied on the music of poetry to provide grace, wisdom and even a distraction from the sounds of war

Tactful notes from a literary self-promoter

An old man lives at the bottom of my garden. His name is Robert Barkus, or Bakehouse, or Bagust. Nobody is quite sure. But I often sense him around when I’m gardening, and I’ve found out a fair bit ab

Playwright of dazzling wit and complex ideas Sir ...

As Dame Judi Dench explores a connection to her hero William Shakespeare, she talks love, death, forgiveness and controlling her temper