Shakespeare Stealer

Widge

The protagonist of the story. He was an orphan who was first apprenticed to Dr. Bright, but later Simon Bass bought him. He later became an apprentice to the players

Julian/Julia

He was Widge's friend when he became an apprenticed to the players. He actually turned out to be a girl. She helped Widge become a player and was a good friend to him.

Falconer

A man sent to get Widge from Dr. Bright for Simon Bass. He also went to London with Widge to make sure that he stole the play and copied it down. He was actually Simon Bass, who was great at makeup.

Dr. Bright

He took Widge from the orphanage to be his apprentice and taught him Charactery. He stole sermons from other rectors to use for himself and didn't treat Widge very well.

Mistress Mac Gregor

She was the woman from the orphanage who gave Widge his name, calling him a pig widgeon.

Mr. Pope

A player who took Widge in when he became an apprentice to the players. He takes in boys and cares for them.

Sander

Widge's best friend. They are very close and helps Widge fit in while he was learning to become a player.

Nick

He was also an apprentice and wasn't nice to Sander, Widge, and Julia. He stole the playbook for Simon Bass and injured Julia.

Mr. Armin

He taught the boys fencing and killed Simon Bass. He was one of the players.

Simon Bass

He was the man that bought Widge for 10 shillings from Dr. Bright.

William Shakespeare

He was a playwright and he wrote Hamlet and other plays.

What is the setting of the story and why is it important?

The setting of the story is in London, England and at the beginning of the story, it is in Yorkshire, England. It also takes place in the Renaissance. Some ways that this is important because if it took place in different times or different places then many aspects.

What perspective is this story being told?

The story is being told in 1st person. It is by Widge's perspective.

What is the main problem or conflict in the story?

The main problem or conflict in the story is that Widge is sent to steal a play, but when he loses the playbook he wrote the script, he has to figure out a way to steal it back. He then becomes friends with the people he is trying to steal it from and doesn't know if he actually wants to steal it.

Who is Dr. Bright and why is he important in this story?

Dr. Bright is Widge's first master. He is important because he teaches Widge Charactery which is the skill in which is the reason he is chosen to steal the play, The Tragedy of Hamlet.

What happens to Julian in the end?

Julian or Julia goes to France so that she can still be a player even though she is a girl.

What happens to Falconer in the end?

Falconer fights Mr. Armin in fencing. Mr. Armin kills Falconer who turns out to be Simon Bass in disguise.

What happens to Widge in the end?

Widge stays with the players and he had finally found family and friends.

How is the main problem or conflict resolved?

The main problem was resolved when Widge helps catch Falconer (Simon Bass) and takes back the playbook. He knows what it is like to have a family and he doesn't have to worry about doing the right or wrong thing anymore and he can choose his own path.

How does Widge change from the beginning of the story to the end? Who or what has been the biggest influence for this change?

Widge learns about the values of life, family, friends. At the beginning of the story, all Widge knows is obeying his master and was knew to the idea of friends. As the story goes on Widge becomes more adapt to learning that you control your own future and you decide what is right or wrong. Sander has been the biggest influence for Widge to change. He helps him and is the best friend that helps Widge change his point of view on life.

How did the setting (including history and culture) influence this story? How would it be different in a different setting?

The setting influenced this story by adding certain facts like that girls aren't allowed to act and use of jargon. Also the apprentices. In a different setting, girls would be able to act, William Shakespeare wouldn't be alive, and there would be easier ways to steal the play in modern times.

Julian suggests many times that he knows that Widge has secrets. Why do you think Julian thinks this?

I think that since Julian was also keeping a secret that he saw how Widge was acting and it was similar to how he was acting so he probably assumed that Widge had a secret.

In chapter 18 Widge asks why don't they just fire Nick. How do they respond to his question, and how does their response affect Widge?

Sander responds to his question by saying that it is like kicking out a brother. The theater is a family and you can't just fire people because you don't just throw out family. Widge didn't really understand at first, but then realize he this is what it feels like to have a family. He wasn't used to it.

"All my life I had done what I was told to do without question, without thinking about the right or the wrong of it. This time I couldn't help questioning." -Widge What big decision was Widge contemplating, and what did he decide to do? Why did he

make this decision?

Widge was wondering if he should steal the playbook. He knew that it was wrong even though his master told him to, but then said that he wasn't going to steal the book and hope that Falconer comes after him. Widge made this decision because he enjoyed the company and was tired of doing the wrong thing.

What is the plot of the story? Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution

Exposition: Widge is an orphan who is adopted/bought to be an apprentice by Dr. bright and taught Charactery by him. Widge is then bought by Simon Bass and taken to him by Falconer.

Rising Action: Widge is taken to London by Falconer to steal the play, The Tragedy of Hamlet. He went there two times and then loses the playbook he has copied it down in. Widge then becomes an apprentice to the players and thinks about stealing the play. Widge lives with Mr. Pope and becomes friends with Sander. Widge soon becomes friends with the theater company.

Climax: Widge sees Nick with Falconer and tells Sander the truth about him. Nick then steals the playbook of Hamlet and Widge tries to stop him. Widge and Mr. Armin go after Nick to get the book back.

Falling Action: They catch up with Falconer. Mr. Armin and Falconer start dueling and Mr. Armin kills Falconer. As Falconer is dying he reveals that he is Simon Bass is a disguise.

Resolution: Widge stays an apprentice with the company and feels like he has family and friends. He says goodbye to Julia and goes back to his house with Mr. Pope and Sander.