Despite being arguably, the most famous writer of all time, William Shakespeare is still a widely misunderstood figure. Today, he is often viewed as the property of the cultural elite, and his work is often approached out of obligation rather than desire. But Shakespeare was a populist, and his plays were written first and foremost to entertain audiences – of all kinds. They are full of humour, slapstick and clever wordplay, and have a deep sympathy for ordinary people and the heartache, beauty, joy and pain we all experience. They are in fact, pure entertain.