In celebrating Shakespeare’s works on the 400^th anniversary of his death, quotes, apt in this our modern world abound – none better though than that of George Mathews in a Morning Star editorial.

He wrote, as editor, that a prominent Tory politician of the day had in an interview said that his favourite Shakespearean character was that of Philip the Bastard..

Pointing to the character’s vow (King John, Act 2, Scene 3) that “Bell, book and candle shall not drive me back, While gold and silver beck me to come on.”

George observed that; “Not just a bastard then, But a greedy bastard”