William Shakespeare
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William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in April 1564, and his birth is traditionally celebrated on April 23. The facts of his life, known from surviving documents, are sparse. He was one of eight children born to John Shakespeare, a merchant of some standing in his community. William probably went to the King's New School in Stratford, but he had no university education. In November 1582, at the age of eighteen, he married Anne Hathaway, eight years his senior, who was pregnant with their first child, Susanna. She was born on May 26, 1583. Twins, a boy, Hamnet ( who would die at age eleven), and a girl, Judith, were born in 1585. By 1592 Shakespeare had gone to London working as an actor and already known as a playwright. A rival dramatist, Robert Greene, referred to him as "an upstart crow, beautified with our feathers." Shakespeare became a principal shareholder and playwright of the successful acting troupe, the Lord Chamberlain's Men (later under James I, called the King's Men). In 1599 the Lord Chamberlain's Men built and occupied the Globe Theater in Southwark near the Thames River. Here many of Shakespeare's plays were performed by the most famous actors of his time, including Richard Burbage, Will Kempe, and Robert Armin. In addition to his 37 plays, Shakespeare had a hand in others, including Sir Thomas More and The Two Noble Kinsmen, and he wrote poems, including Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece. His 154 sonnets were published, probably without his authorization, in 1609. In 1611 or 1612 he gave up his lodgings in London and devoted more and more time to retirement in Stratford, though he continued writing such plays as The Tempest and Henry VII until about 1613. He died on April 23 1616, and was buried in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford. No collected edition of his plays was published during his life-time, but in 1623 two members of his acting company, John Heminges and Henry Condell, put together the great collection now called the First Folio.

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    • The Tempest

    • By: William Shakespeare
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    • Length: 2 hrs and 7 mins
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    • Overall
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    Sir Ian McKellen, fresh from his performance as Gandalf in Lord of the Rings, is Prospero, and heads a strong cast in Shakespeare’s last great play....

    • 5 out of 5 stars

    • A stellar performance by a stunning cast

    • By Jeremy R. Snyder on 02-18-14

    Regular price: $16.81

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    • Much Ado about Nothing

    • Arkangel Shakespeare
    • By: William Shakespeare
    • Narrated by: Saskia Reeves, Samuel West, Paul Jesson, and others
    • Length: 2 hrs and 8 mins
    • Original Recording
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      4.5 out of 5 stars 94
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    Young Claudio has fallen for the lovely heiress Hero, who also loves him. Their path to the altar looks smooth, until the evil Don John intervenes....

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    • Live in thy heart, die in thy lap

    • By Darwin8u on 06-29-17

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    • Romeo and Juliet

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    • By: William Shakespeare
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    In the world's most celebrated and lyrical love story, the sublime devotion of two young lovers transcends their earthly fate....

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    • Well played!

    • By April M. on 09-01-17

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    • Othello: Fully Dramatized Audio Edition

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    This new full-cast recording - based on the most respected edition of Shakespeare's classic - expertly produced by the Folger Theatre, is perfect for students, teachers, and the everyday listener....

    • 4 out of 5 stars

    • Good cast

    • By Becky on 06-06-17

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    • Classic BBC Radio Shakespeare: Tragedies

    • Hamlet; Macbeth; Romeo and Juliet
    • By: William Shakespeare
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    • Abridged

    • By Jennifer Sheridan on 07-08-17

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    • Julius Caesar

    • By: William Shakespeare
    • Narrated by: Andrew Buchan, Sean Barrett
    • Length: 2 hrs and 16 mins
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    Julius Caesar is one of Shakespeare’s most compelling Roman plays. The plot against Caesar and the infamous assassination scene make for unforgettable listening....

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    • The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars

    • By David on 04-05-14

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    • King Lear

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    This shattering drama of isolation and loss is one of the greatest tragedies in world literature....

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    • tragedy par excellence

    • By turbopro on 08-10-16

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    • Macbeth

    • By: William Shakespeare
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    • Length: 1 hr and 59 mins
    • Original Recording
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      4.5 out of 5 stars 302
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    Infamously known as the cursed Scottish play, Macbeth is perhaps Shakespeare’s darkest tragedy....

    • 5 out of 5 stars

    • Might want to Read Along

    • By SydSavvy on 02-03-14

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    • The Merchant of Venice

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    • By: William Shakespeare
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      4.5 out of 5 stars 100
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    In Shakespeare's most controversial play, the opposing values of justice and mercy must be resolved....

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    • One Of Shakespeare's Best

    • By M. J. Christensen on 06-07-15

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    • Henry V

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      4.5 out of 5 stars 77
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    Henry V is a study of kingship, patriotism, and heroic determination tempered by tender comedy as Henry courts Katherine, princess of France....

    • 5 out of 5 stars

    • The Best Version of the Best Thing Ever Written

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