Shakespeare’s Strong Women

BY Juliet Stevenson CBE

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:

HarperCollins, 2026