R. S. Gwynn's "Shakespearean Sonnet "

In honor of Shakespeare's birthday (which is traditionally celebrated on April 23), here is R. S. Gwynn's awesome "Shakespearean Sonnet," which encapsulates the plots of 14 of Shakespeare's plays. It is pure, unadulterated, literary fun, and reading it makes me wish that I was still teaching British literature (how much fun would it be to have students go through the sonnet and try to name the different plays?).

“Shakespearean Sonnet”
R. S. Gwynn

(With a first line taken from the tv listings)

A man is haunted by his father's ghost.
A boy and girl love while their families fight.
A Scottish king is murdered by his host.
Two couples get lost on a summer night.
A hunchback murders all who block his way.
A ruler's rivals plot against his life.
A fat man and a prince make rebels pay.
A noble Moor has doubts about his wife.
An English king decides to conquer France.
A duke learns that his best friend is a she.
A forest sets the scene for this romance.
An old man and his daughters disagree.
A Roman leader makes a big mistake.
A sexy queen is bitten by a snake.