Summary: History, Tragedy, Comedy and Poetry, Shakespeare has it all. So do the stories of agriculture and biotechnology. This seminar uses quotes from Shakespearean plays and poems to introduce a variety of aspects associated with biotechnology, with particular emphasis on the genetic engineering of plants for food and fiber production. This talk should form the basis for a forum aimed at discussing both the pros and cons of biotechnolgy with regards to food safety, enviromental concerns as well as political and social implications. The aim of this talk to provide as broad a view as possible, therefore it is best used as an introductory lecture to be followed up by discussion or additional, more narrowly-focused, lectures.