WHAT'S THE MATTER? A New Shakespeare Play is literally Shakespearean--the writings of Shakespeare provide all of the dialogue for characters that are creations in a new, full-length play with an original plot. Lines lifted from the poems and plays are refashioned to vitalize and elevate a new story and cast of characters. While driven by Shakespeare's language, WHAT'S THE MATTER? is also Shakespearean in its characterizations, story, and structure; it is an imitation of a Renaissance "romance" or tragicomedy. While visiting his old school-friend in Palermo, Valmond falls in love with his sister, Princess Katrina, and she with him, though neither of them is able to declare that love to the other. Valmond must return to Burgundy to oversee his governance. Cosimo, the Prince of Naples, and his forces arrive in Sicily to demand from the king a long-delayed payment of tribute to the King of Naples. After the Sicilians refuse payment, they go to war with the forces of Naples. Amadeo leads the Sicilian forces, but is betrayed by his uncle and killed. Having conquered Sicily, Cosimo tries to force Katrina to marry him, but she resists. The king dies of a lingering illness. Cosimo appoints Katrina's uncle as his deputy and departs Sicily. Katrina, her mother, her cousin and Amadeo's wife, escape to Syracuse. After hearing news of all that has happened, Valmond vows revenge and sails to Syracuse with his own army to join forces with the Sicilians.