Showing results by author "William Shakespeare" in All Categories

The Complete Original Works of William Shakespeare is a monumental archive of the human soul. For over four hundred years, these works have been the gold standard of storytelling, influencing everything from high art to modern cinema.

An instant audio classic! Sir Patrick Stewart draws upon his decades on the Shakespearean stage to bring listeners an all-new, definitive recording of the complete Sonnets—an audio treasury of incandescent performances and insightful personal commentary. Already beloved by audiobook listeners...

All of the Shakespeare plays within the Argo Classics catalogue are performed by the Marlowe Dramatic Society and Professional Players. The Marlowe was founded in 1907 with a mission to focus on effective delivery of verse, respect the integrity of texts and rescue neglected plays by Shakespeare’s contemporaries and the less performed plays of Shakespeare himself. The Marlowe has performed annually at Cambridge Arts Theatre since its opening in 1936 and continues to produce some of the finest actors of their generations.

Here is the multi award-winning SmartPass study guide, with and without commentary options. This is a full-cast, unabridged performance with comprehensive commentary and analysis to allow any student to fully understand and appreciate the play. Meet literature's greatest villain in this tragedy, fuelled by jealous rage. Journey into the twisted mind of Iago, who freely admits, "I am not what I am", and truly get under the skin of this wondrous play.

The sensitive and poetic Richard II is undoubtedly the rightful king of England, but he is unscrupulous and weak. When his cousin Henry Bolingbroke returns from banishment and mounts a challenge to his authority, Richard's right to the throne proves of little help to him. Richard is forced to abdicate, but as his power is stripped away, he gains dignity and self-awareness, and he meets his death heroically.

An anthology of over 40 classic nature poems, read by some of our finest actors. The majesty of nature has always inspired poets, and this collection contains a selection of the very best verses praising the natural world.

Padua holds many suitors for the hand of fair Bianca, but Bianca may not be married until her spinster sister, Kate, is wed. Could any man be rash enough to take on Kate? The witty adventurer Petruchio undertakes the task. While he sets about transforming Kate from foul-tempered termagant to loving wife, young Lucentio and his clever servant, Tranio, plot to win Bianca.

Experience Hamlet as a powerful full-cast drama with entertaining and enlightening commentary that explains what's what and who's who as the plot unfolds. To help you get the most out of Shakespeare, the narrator offers historical insights and background information, so you can enjoy the jokes, appreciate the references, and get a real sense of Shakespeare's world. The unabridged drama is also presented without commentary.

Hamlet, which dates from 1600-1601, is the first in Shakespeare's great series of four tragedies. In writing this extraordinary play Shakespeare effectively re-invented tragedy after an interval of roughly two thousand years - you would have to go back to the Greek dramatists of 5th century Athens to find anything of comparable depth and maturity. This production features the voice of Anton Lesser as Hamlet along with a full cast.

In this BBC full-cast production of The Merchant of Venice, love, bigotry, greed, and justice are entwined. Shakespeare's classic play explores the eternal themes of love and hate, mercy and justice, with parallel stories centred on the moneylender, Shylock, and the lovers, Portia and Bassanio...

In this BBC full-cast production, Othello is drawn further and further into jealous rage by the manipulative Iago. In this story of evil cunning perverting a once noble mind, radio captures Iago's sly hints and boasts to the audience with shocking clarity. The listener is led along an emotional...

Everyone knows something of Shakespeare's sonnets, even if only in memorable fragments like "the darling buds of May," or "remembrance of things past," or "the marriage of true minds." For centuries these wonderfully crafted, intense lyrics have stood for something valued about youth, love, and the emotional complexities belonging to that time of life. This new recording presents all 154 of Shakespeare's sonnets, using the New Cambridge Shakespeare texts.

Dive into the whimsical world of Twelfth Night, where hidden identities and romantic entanglements lead to a delightful tapestry of love, laughter, and mischief. This enchanting comedy features an array of colorful characters navigating the complexities of affection, friendship, and playful pranks. Join us for a journey filled with both requited and unrequited love, as the charming narrative unfolds in a vibrant setting. (Summary by Karen Savage)

Twelfth Night, or What You Wil is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written around 1601–02 as a Twelfth Night's entertainment for the close of the Christmas season. The play centres on the twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck. Viola (who is disguised as a boy) falls in love with Duke Orsino, who in turn is in love with the Countess Olivia. Upon meeting Viola, Countess Olivia falls in love with her thinking she is a man. The play expanded on the musical interludes and riotous disorder expected of the occasion, with plot elements drawn from the short...

Dive into the comedic world of The Taming of the Shrew, one of Shakespeares earliest masterpieces, influenced by Roman comedy and the lively Italian commedia dellarte. Set in Padua, we meet Baptista Minola, a wealthy gentleman with two daughters the fiery Katherina, notorious for her sharp wit, and the sweet Bianca, desired by many suitors. Baptistas decree that Bianca cannot marry until Katherina finds a husband sets the stage for a series of comedic events. Enter Petruchio, determined to wive it wealthily in Padua, who is convinced by Biancas suitors to take on the challenge of wooing ...

The Two Noble Kinsmen is a captivating Jacobean tragicomedy co-crafted by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher, first published in 1634. Set against the backdrop of a war-torn ancient Greece, the story unfolds around two noble cousins, Palamon and Arcite, whose deep bond is tragically shattered by their shared love for the enchanting Emilia. As the drama unfolds, we also witness the poignant tale of the Gaolers Daughter, who descends into madness over her unrequited love for Palamon. Drawing inspiration from Chaucers The Knights Tale, this play resonates with echoes of Shakespeare’s A ...

Experience the charm of Shakespeares earliest comedy, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, believed to have been penned around 1590-91. This delightful tale revolves around two inseparable friends, Valentine and Proteus, whose bond is tested when they both fall for the enchanting Silvia. In a twist of fate, Proteus abandons his loyal Julia to chase after Silvia, prompting Julia to disguise herself as a boy and pursue him instead. With a host of humorous supporting characters, including the unforgettable Launce and his mischievous dog, Crab, this play is a whimsical exploration of friendship, love, and...

The History of Troilus and Cressida has long perplexed both critics and audiences with its erratic tone, oscillating between bawdy comedy and somber tragedy. This complex work features an unheroic and often unsympathetic cast of characters, weaving through a multitude of subplots and locations that can overshadow even its titular figures. We follow the young Trojan warrior Troilus as he pursues the indifferent Cressida, while also witnessing the Greek leader Agamemnons attempts to compel the proud Achilles into battle, alongside the scathing fool Thersites, who critiques the vanity and ...

Dive into the enchanting world of The Merry Devil of Edmonton, a captivating play that has sparked debate over its authorship, with some attributing it to the great William Shakespeare himself. Tucker Brooke, author of The Shakespeare Apocrypha, highlights the dubious nature of the evidence surrounding its attribution, yet he praises its rich vitality, humorous spirit, and delicate portrayal of love and friendship. Whether truly penned by Shakespeare or not, this delightful work stands out as one of the most enjoyable pseudo-Shakespearian plays, inviting readers to experience its charm over ...

Step into the world of William Shakespeares Measure for Measure, a play that defies easy categorization. Known as one of Shakespeares problem plays, it weaves a dark narrative infused with moments of levity, leaving audiences grappling with its unresolved tensions. The story unfolds as Duke Vincentio of Vienna hands over his authority to the strict judge Angelo before embarking on a diplomatic journey. However, Vincentio secretly disguises himself as a humble friar to observe Angelos rule, which quickly reveals itself as cruel and unyielding. When a man is sentenced to death for fornication, ...