# Shakespeare — Disenchantment character guide

> Shakespeare in Disenchantment by C. E. Montague.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0010-iii

## Who they are

The playwright, referenced as a cultural touchstone and occasional character in discussion.

## Relationships

### [Bates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/disenchantment_se/characters/bates)

_psychological_

Bates is a character who references or is contrasted with Shakespeare, highlighting literary or thematic parallels.

### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/disenchantment_se/characters/unknown_narrator)

_psychological_

Shakespeare is a literary touchstone for the narrator, invoked for comparison or thematic depth.

### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/disenchantment_se/characters/unknown_narrator)

_psychological_

Shakespeare is a literary touchstone for the narrator, invoked for comparison or thematic depth.

### [Bates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/disenchantment_se/characters/bates)

_psychological_

Bates is a character who references or is contrasted with Shakespeare, highlighting literary or thematic parallels.

## In the story

### [II: Misgiving](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/disenchantment_se/chapters/ii-misgiving)

Alluded to through the quote 'Were it not better done as others use?' and the reference to Mercutio's wound.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/disenchantment_se/chapters/iv)

Quoted via Bardolph's speech on 'accommodated' to mock the colonel's confusion.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/disenchantment_se/chapters/i)

Cited as an uncensored observer of the Great War, whose plays contain truths suppressed by the press.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/disenchantment_se/chapters/ii)

Quoted indirectly through the 'we few, we happy few, we band of brothers' speech from Henry V.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/disenchantment_se/chapters/iv)

Referenced indirectly through the phrase 'obstinate questionings of sense and outward things,' a quote from Wordsworth's 'Ode: Intimations of Immortality,' but Shakespeare is not directly mentioned.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/disenchantment_se/chapters/v)

Referenced in a simile comparing the chaplain to the curate in Shakespeare who was 'o'erparted' playing Alexander the Great.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/disenchantment_se/chapters/iv)

Referenced as the source of the personified Rumour 'painted full of tongues' who 'stuffs the ears of men with false reports.'

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/disenchantment_se/chapters/iii)

Mentioned as an example of evolution producing great individuals, contrasted with the decline of the army.

### [XIII: The Old Age of the War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/disenchantment_se/chapters/xiii-the-old-age-of-the-war)

Shakespeare is referenced in the soldiers' adherence to Henry V's orders about conduct in conquered territory.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/disenchantment_se/chapters/i)

Quoted indirectly as the source of the English code of conduct toward the conquered.

### [Any Cure?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/disenchantment_se/chapters/xv-any-cure)

Referenced in connection with the chimes at midnight and the Falstaffiad, as an example of enduring delight and creativity.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/disenchantment_se/chapters/iii)

Mentioned as an example of high mental vitality and the ability to find wonder in ordinary experience.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/disenchantment_se/characters/shakespeare
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/disenchantment_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/disenchantment_se/characters