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Ages of Man  By  cover art

Ages of Man

By: William Shakespeare
Narrated by: John Gielgud
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Publisher's summary

This remarkable collection contains some of William Shakespeare's most famous speeches, soliloquies, and sonnets, as performed by Sir John Gielgud, the preeminent Shakespearean actor of the 20th century.

Debuting on Broadway in 1958, Ages of Man became a worldwide sensation, selling out theaters all over North America, France, and even behind the Iron Curtain. Its selections are divided into Youth, Manhood, and Age, including scenes from such masterpieces as Hamlet, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, and King Lear.

This exquisite, Grammy-winning recital is a perfect introduction to Shakespeare for the uninitiated and a thrilling treat for aficionados.

©1979, 1989 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., All Rights Reserved, Caedmon, an imprint of Harper Audio, a division of HarperCollins Publishers (P)1979, 1989 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., All Rights Reserved, Caedmon, an imprint of Harper Audio, a division of HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

  • 1980 Grammy Award Winner, Best Spoken Word Album

What listeners say about Ages of Man

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An Absolute Classic!

I am thrilled to see that this classic recording has been issued as an audio download! Originally devised as a one-man recital for the theatre, AGES OF MAN is a marvelous selection of Shakespearean speeches sublimely performed by Sir John Gielgud. It provides an excellent introduction to Shakespeare, and has been an inspiration to actors, scholars, and fans of the poet's work for decades.

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What is missing and is useful

Chapter 1
Part 1: Youth. Childhood - Magic and Faery - Nature - Love - Jealousy - Lust (22:59)
1. As You Like It - Act II, Scene 7 @0:02
2. Sonnet 2, Sonnet 12 @1:48
3. A Midsummer Night's Dream - Act II, Scene 1 @4:00
4. The Tempest - Act III, Scene 2 @6:18
5. Romeo And Juliet - Act I, Scene 4 @7:11
6. The Merchant Of Venice - Act V, Scene 1 @9:30
7. Much Ado About Nothing - Act II, Scene 3 @11:10
8. Sonnet 18, Sonnet 116, Sonnet 130 @13:03
9. Romeo And Juliet - Act I, Scene 5. Act II, Scene 1. Act II, Scene 2 @16:05
10. Winter's Tale - Act II, Scene 2 @19:02
11. Sonnet 129 @20:53
12. Measure For Measure - Act II, Scene 2 @21:55
Part 2: Manhood. War - Civil Strife - Kingship - Government and Society - Passion and Character (22:11)
13. Henry The Fifth – Prologue @24:00
14. Henry The Fourth (Part 1) - Act I, Scene 3 @25:53
15. Henry The Sixth (Part 3) - Act II, Scene 5 @28:09
16. Richard The Second - Act III, Scene 3. Act IV, Scene 1 @30:40
17. Julius Caesar - Act I, Scene 2 @40:41
18. Hamlet - Act II, Scene 2 @43:00
Chapter 2
Part 3: Age. Death - Sickness - Man Against Himself - Old Time - Time (Side C: 14:46. Side D: 15:40)
1. Sonnet 138. Sonnet 30. Sonnet 73 @0:00
2. Henry The Fourth (Part 2) - Act III, Scene 1 @2:56
3. Macbeth - Act II, Scene 1 @5:27
4. Richard The Third - Act 1, Scene 4 @8:10
5. Measure For Measure - Act III, Scene 1 12:05
6. Julius Caesar - Act II, Scene 2 @13:08
7. Hamlet - Act II, Scene 2 @13:49
8. Hamlet - Act III, Scene 2 @15:23
9. Hamlet - Act V, Scene 2 @17:52
10. Sonnet 29 @18:42
11. Cymbeline @19:41
12. Romeo And Juliet - Act V, Scene 3 @21:16
13. King Lear - Act V, Scene 3 @24:27
14. The Tempest - Act IV, Scene 1. Act V, Scene 1. Epilogue @27:19

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