The Stranger, The Writer, His Wife and the Mixed Metaphor (short story)

 was a Brief Encounter short story published in Doctor Who Magazine.

Summary
The Doctor pays a visit to William Shakespeare and helps him draft Hamlet, as the playwright has sprained his wrist. While writing the play, he complains about the phrase "take arms against a sea of troubles," which he claims is a mixed metaphor. When Shakespeare's wife Anne comes down, however, he has gone. It is also revealed that on a previous visit Sarah Jane had complained about the sexism in The Taming of the Shrew and had suggested the character of Lady Macbeth.

Characters

 * Fourth Doctor
 * William Shakespeare

Continuity

 * The Doctor references the events of this story in DW: City of Death.

Timeline

 * This story occurs after DWM: Under Pressure
 * This story occurs before PDA: Millennium Shock