Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime and Other Stories · Character
William Shakespeare
The playwright whose sonnets become a battleground for theories of identity, desire, and the dangerous power of believing your own story.
supporting
Also known as Shakespeare, Mr. William Shakespeare
First appearance: The Portrait of Mr. W. H.
As a supporting figure in Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime and Other Stories, William Shakespeare is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Referenced as the poet whose sonnets are central to the theory about Mr.
Shakespeare never appears in the flesh, but his sonnets are the engine of the entire mystery: who was Mr. W. H., and what did he mean to the man who wrote those passionate lines? The theory that Cyril Graham constructs—and forges evidence to support—turns Shakespeare from a monument into a man with desires and secrets. Every character who touches the sonnets is changed by them, and not always for the better.
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Character Web
19 connectionsA slice of how William Shakespeare sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Shakespeare Sonnet Theorists
- Supporting and Historical Figures
+14 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this excerpt, the dramatic climax occurs as Hughie Erskine’s romantic and financial crisis reaches its peak…
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Follow the arc while readingIn the story
William Shakespeare appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for William Shakespeare unlock in the free preview.
See William Shakespeare in The Portrait of Mr. W. H.