Across clues contain a definition and a jumble of the answer. In each row of the grid, a Shakespearean character is hiding, disguised by one letter. In one instance, the character does not occupy a whole entry — and in that instance the character is also hiding in the previous row. The disguises add up to a relevant occasion, and must be highlighted. Elsewhere, ignore an accent.

Across

1    Lear misread old poets (6)
7    Tybalt’s a rock (6)
12    Four men Diana dressed similarly (9)
13    Cordelia clipped hairs (5)
15    Elegiac Katherine decapitated (9)
16    Goneril hates meatloaf (6)
20    Autolycus, traditionally one associated with trifles? (7)
21    Claudio reorders metal (6)
22    Gloucester suddenly starts again (6)
24    What might poison Trinculo in Pompeii (8)
26    Posthumus grew sleek (4)
27    Regan wed young (3)
28    Leontes made up language (3)
29    Leave Hermione in this situation (4)
32    Injuries Demetrius fixes (8)
34    Lucullus raised birds (6)
35    Wit outwits Percy (6)
37    Bottom trains fliers (7)
39    Philip stole flower part (6)
42    Perhaps preparing to bind revolting Caliban (9)
43    Why’s Humphrey being kept quiet? (5)
44    Laertes advertised auction (9, two words)
45    Nestor loves alcohol (6)
46    Timon, perhaps, with Mercutio (6)

Down

1    King Henry takes country in a hurry (4)
2    Embraced in transfer to the north (7)
3    Fail to see girl (4)
4    Memory includes declined favour (7)
5    Finally make rep plum, possibly (8)
6    Odd fish are active under river blockage (6)
8    Problem axing strong tree (4)
9    Making excuses for one replacing ox in the greatest sport? (8)
10    Grey man who deceives daughter (5)
11    Beat women in the end, one after another (10)
14    Fix wheels before going to another place (9)
17    Pass to injure fan (6)
18    Translate some lingo? (9)
19    Frosts in Ayr — colt fled about such ground (10)
23    Hotel trails special spray (6)
25    Make old Communist thrill with emotion (8)
26    Girl has turned around as nun changed (8)
30    Mr Magoo conceals a point in show (7)
31    Pasta is served up in perfect Italy (7)
33    The sun always shone on this politician in republic (6)
36    He divulges who acted as a barrier? (5)
38    County dignitary almost dressing (4)
40    Oxen maybe regularly seen in the farm (4)
41    General heading for troops in trench locally (4)

A first prize of £30 for the first correct solution opened on 3 October. There are two runners-up prizes of £20. (UK solvers can choose to receive the latest edition of the Chambers dictionary instead of cash— ring the word ‘dictionary’.) Entries to: Crossword 2278, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery.

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