Memorises Shakespeare character with directions (6)
I believe the answer is:
learns
'memorises' is the definition.
('learn' can be a synonym of 'memorize')
'character with directions' is the wordplay.
'character' becomes 'lear' (I have seen 'Tragic character' mean 'lear' so perhaps 'character' could also mean 'lear').
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'directions' becomes 'Ns' (N is an example).
'lear'+'ns'='LEARNS'
'shakespeare' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. It may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for learns that I've seen before include "Discovers" , "Gains knowledge or skill" , "Gains understanding from study or experience" , "Imbibes knowledge" , "Acquires knowledge or skills" .)