Shakespeare Classics

A murdered king, his haunted son, a wicked stepfather and a doomed romance... Listen on, through madness and mystery, to discover the calamitous tale at the heart of Hamlet, one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies. As well as the story, this audiobook contains information about the background to Hamlet, its major themes, language, and Shakespeare's life during the time he was writing the play. Madness, and how it was treated in 16th century England, is also examined, to give some context in which the play was written.

Hamlet is renowned for classic lines and perceptive characterisation. It is often cited as Shakespeare's greatest play and of course as a tragedy of ghostly proportions. Equally compelling is the actual story, which as told here makes a cracking good listen.

Mark Antony, one of three rulers of Rome, is in love with Cleopatra, queen of Egypt. Antony is summoned back to Rome, where he clashes with another ruler, Octavius, before returning to Cleopatra in Egypt. Now in battle with Octavius, Antony and Cleopatra suffer losses and miscommunication and both eventually commit suicide.

Twelfth Night, nowadays one of Shakespeare's best-loved and most-admired comedies, was not always so regarded: Samuel Pepys saw the play three times in the 1660s and judged it 'silly'. Modern audiences, critics, and directors seem better attuned to its delicate counter pointing of romance and realism....

"Sein oder Nichtsein, das ist hier die Frage!" Der dänische Prinz Hamlet weiß nicht mehr weiter: Einerseits ist er sich sicher, das sein Vater, der König, ermordet wurde, und zwar durch Claudius, dessen Bruder - der jetzt König ist und sogar Hamlets Mutter geheiratet hat. Andererseits ist der wankelmütige, schöngeistige Prinz nicht sicher, ob und wie er seinen Vater rächen soll - obwohl dieser ihn in Gestalt eines Geistes dazu auffordert. Hamlet beschließt auf Zeit zu spielen, und spielt die Rolle des Verrückten. Doch dies macht nicht nur seiner Geliebten Ophelia zu schaffen.

There is no finer way to welcome young people (or adults!) to the pleasures of Shakespeare than with these four masterful retellings of the Bard's most beloved plays. Ranging from the pure magic of A Midsummer Night's Dream to the heartbreak of young love in Romeo and Juliet, featuring the spine-tingling tragedy of Macbeth (complete with ghost and witches) and culminating in the laugh-out-loud hijinks of Twelfth Night.

Laughter, happiness, romance, and just a bit of deception and intrigue - these are what make up Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies. Though Shakespeare is probably most well-known for the dramatic tragedies that have defined the genre for centuries, his comedies are just as well beloved and performed in theaters across the globe. Shakespearean comedies are defined by their humorous writing, their satire, the often-tangled romances, disguises and deceptions, and a thoughtful “fool” who is often the bearer of the smartest lines in the plays.

William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. His father, John Shakespeare, was a store owner and a farmer, and at one point, also served as the town's mayor. William was the third of eight children. He was married to Anne Hathaway who was eight years older than himself. They had three children Susanna (1583), and twins - Hamnet and Judith (1585). Shakespeare wrote 36 plays, 154 Sonnets and two narrative poems. He died on April 23, 1616 and was buried at Trinity Church in Stratford, England.

Written in play form using Shakespeare's iambic pentameter and imitating much of his style and language, these little plays are an excellent introduction to the bard. Hamlet’s father, the king of Denmark, has died suddenly. But instead of grieving, his mother, Gertrude, has married the dead king’s brother, Claudius. One dark night Hamlet sees a ghost. It is his dead father, who claims he was murdered by Claudius, the new king. But did Hamlet really see a ghost, or did he just imagine it?

A compilation of some of the greatest retellings of Shakespeare's love stories by Nesbit and Lamb, with historical context and discussion questions by Marie Henley.

The Roman General Titus Andronicus returns from war with four prisoners who vow to take revenge against him. They rape and mutilate Titus' daughter and have his sons killed and banished. Titus kills two of them and cooks them into a pie, which he serves to their mother before killing her, too. The Roman emperor kills Titus, and Titus' last remaining son kills the emperor and takes his place.

Shakespeare se tornou o dramaturgo mais conhecido de todos os tempos por várias razões: era genial com as palavras, entendia a alma humana como ninguém e falava de temas universais. No entanto, parte de sua popularidade se deve aos irmãos Charles e Mary Lamb, que, ao adaptarem vinte peças para o formato de conto, tornaram as histórias do autor inglês acessíveis a pessoas de diferentes idades e gêneros, em diversas partes do mundo. Publicados em 1807, os contos dos Lamb eram destinados apenas ao público infantojuvenil e jovens senhoras....

A fabulous way to experience twenty of Shakespeare's thirty-seven plays, this retelling of the stories in prose was originally published just for children. Keeping Shakespeare's own words whenever possible, but making the plots and language easily understandable, this very readable collection has entertained and informed generations of adults as well. It is the ideal primer for anyone interested in becoming familiar with the works of the great bard.

Hamlet was written between 1597 and 1600, just after the death of Shakespeare’s only son, Hamnet, one of twins, who died aged 11 in 1596. Despite scholarly argument that this was mere coincidence, it is impossible to believe that a writer as sensitive as Shakespeare would not be questioning the reason for the life and death of his son during those years.This production contends that Hamlet was to a large degree shaped by the answers to those questions.

Sir Michael Morpurgo retells two of Shakespeare’s best-loved plays, Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer’s Night Dream, in this stunning audio collection in association with the RSC, featuring readings by members of the Royal Shakespeare Company and Michael himself. Translating these iconic plays into thrilling prose, the nation’s favourite storyteller preserves all the imaginative genius and spark of the originals, while bringing a contemporary and vibrant voice to their retelling.

Brother and sister team Charles and Mary Lamb originally wrote these stories for children in 1807, based on Shakespeare's most famous plays. Here is their version of Romeo and Juliet.

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the timeless streets of Verona in "Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare for Kids." Crafted with the young and the young at heart in mind, Jeanette Vigon offers a mesmerizing retelling of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, making it accessible and engaging for a new generation of listeners.

Introduce your children to the magic of Shakespeare with these 20 favorite tales. Although simplified, these lively stories don't underestimate young readers; they keep the complexity, twists of plot, and turns of fate found in the originals.

A short story from the British Library Crime Classic collection Final Acts. During a production of Hamlet, the actress playing the Queen is poisoned with cyanide. With castmates under suspicion, private detective Francis Quarles must unravel the threads of the Shakespeare play to find the murderer.

A new entry in the superb, visually striking, and innovative series for young people. Children, parents, librarians, educators, and critics will all be delighted to have another engrossing retelling of one of Shakespeare's plays. A young woman's elopement with a dark-skinned foreigner. An evil manipulator, dead set on bloody revenge. A noble warrior, fatally consumed by jealousy. Shakespeare's play about the Moor who "loved not wisely but too well," comes to life in this intensely thrilling retelling.