Capsule summaries of Shakespeare's plays

The Comedies

• The Comedy of Errors. Twins, separated at birth, take the same name. Thumbs up.
• Love's Labor's Lost. Three gentlemen vow to abstain from food, women, and sleep for three years, devoting the time to study. Thumbs down.
• The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Proteus tries to steal his friend Valentine's Sylvia. Thumbs down.
• The Taming of the Shrew. Petruchio must somehow tame the shrewish Katharina. Thumbs up.
• A Midsummer Night's Dream. Demetrius and Lysander are in love with Hermia; Helena is in love with Demetrius. Thumbs up.
• The Merchant of Venice. Antonio owes Shylock a pound of his flesh for not repaying the debt he incurred for his friend. Thumbs up.
• Much Ado About Nothing. Hero is falsely accused of cheating on her fiance, the night before their wedding day. Thumbs up.
• The Merry Wives of Windsor. Falstaff, short of cash, tries to woo two rich, married women, who are too clever for him. Thumbs up.
• As You Like It. Orlando (brother of Oliver) and Rosalind (daughter of Duke Senior) are banished from Duke Frederick's kingdom to the Forest of Arden. Thumbs up.