Shakespeare’s Strong Women by Royal Shakespeare Company

‘If I be waspish, best beware my sting’

Meet a dazzling array of bold, brainy, mischievous and sometimes downright wicked women in this witty, empowering guide to Shakespeare’s fiercest female characters.

From clever Rosalind to ruthless Lady Macbeth, via some lesser-known but equally captivating ladies, this irreverent guide explores the power, passion and most perceptive observations of Shakespeare’s characters. These women are not just part of the plot; they’re the driving force behind the action, cracking jokes, taking matters into their own hands and refusing to play by anyone’s rules.

Alongside behind-the-scenes tales of performances from the Royal Shakespeare Company’s archive, you’ll also find timeless quotes to deploy in everyday life, for example:

• When your alarm goes off on Monday morning: ‘Dreadful trumpet, sound the general doom’
• When dealing with a traffic warden: ‘What wilt thou do, thou peevish officer?’
• When a colleague forgets to unmute on a call: ‘Alas, she has no speech’

This is the ultimate gift for anyone wanting to add a dash of wit and wisdom to their lives the Shakespearean way.

‘If I be waspish, best beware my sting’

About the Author: The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is a leading global theatre company that sparks local, national and international conversations that build connections, create opportunities and bring joy.

The RSC performs on three stages in its home in Stratford-upon-Avon, in London and in communities and schools across the country and around the world.

23 Apr 2026
 

Shakespeare’s Strong Women: The wit, wisdom and wickedness of his fiercest female characters by Royal Shakespeare Company ISBN 9780008809409