Podcasts by Clear Shakespeare

Julius Caesar Part 1: Introduction&Act 1, Scenes 1 and 2 from 2016-12-15T16:21:05

The text, sources and performance history of Julius Caesar Flavius and Marullus disperse the crowd The running of the Lupercalia The soothsayer’s warning to Caesar: Beware the Ides of March! Cas...

Julius Caesar Part 2: Act 1, Scene 3&Act 2, Scene 1 from 2016-12-15T16:20:12

Omens and portents Casca meets Cicero and Cassius in the storm Letters to Brutus Brutus’ decision in his orchard The conspirators arrive at Brutus’ house Debating who must die Portia hates secre...

Julius Caesar Part 3: Act 2, Scenes 2, 3 and 4&Act 3, Scene 1 from 2016-12-15T16:19:24

Calpurnia’s strange dream The augurers find a beast without a heart Decius Brutus convinces Caesar to go The conspirators come to collect Caesar Artemidorus’ warning letter to Caesar Portia and ...

Julius Caesar Part 4: Act 3, Scenes 2 and 3&Act 4, Scene 1 from 2016-12-15T16:18:34

The Art of Rhetoric Brutus defends killing Caesar Marc Antony’s funeral oration The mob finds Cinna the Poet Antony, Octavius and Lepidus make plans Antony’s real opinion of Lepidus

The po...

Julius Caesar Part 5: Act 4, Scenes 2 and 3 from 2016-12-15T16:17:44

Brutus has doubts about Cassius Cassius is mad at Brutus Brutus accuses Cassius of taking bribes Brutus is short on cash Brutus and Cassius make up A poet interrupts Brutus and Cassius Portia is...

Julius Caesar Part 6: Act 5, Scenes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 from 2016-12-15T16:15:29

Antony and Octavius disagree about battle tactics Parley before battle Cassius’ birthday Brutus and Cassius say goodbye Brutus attacks! Pindarus reports on Titinius’ ride Cassius’ suicide and Pi...

Midsummer Part 1: Introduction&Act 1, Scenes 1 and 2 from 2016-01-04T05:06:35

The texts, sources and performance history of A Midsummer Night’s Dream Theseus and Hippolyta make wedding plans Egeus is angry at Hermia for loving Lysander Hermia defends herself Theseus’ ruli...

Midsummer Part 2: Act 2, Scene 1 from 2016-01-04T05:05:18

English fairy traditions Introducing Puck Oberon and Titania fight over the changeling boy Oberon sends Puck for the magic flower Helena chases Demetrius Oberon sends Puck to enchant Demetrius Listen

Midsummer Part 3: Act 2, Scene 2&Act 3, Scene 1 from 2016-01-04T05:02:51

The Green World Titania’s lullaby Oberon enchants Titania Lysander and Hermia sleep cute Puck enchants the wrong guy Lysander loves the wrong girl Hermia wakes up alone The mechanicals rehearse ...

Midsummer Part 4: Act 3, Scene 2 from 2016-01-04T04:59:11

Puck tells Oberon about Titania’s new boyfriend Hermia thinks Demetrius killed Lysander Oberon enchants Demetrius Now Lysander and Demetrius both love Helena Helena doesn’t trust their love, or ...

Midsummer Part 5: Act 4, Scenes 1 and 2 from 2016-01-04T04:56:38

Bottom orders the fairies around Oberon unenchants Titania Theseus and Hippolyta wake the lovers Bottom remembers his dream Bottom saves the day!

The postListen

Midsummer Part 6: Act 5, Scene 1 from 2016-01-04T04:52:41

Theseus and Hippolyta talk fairy tales Philostrate lays out the newlyweds’ entertainment options The mechanicals perform Pyramus and Thisbe Puck returns to sweep the way Oberon and Titania bless...

Hamlet Part 1: Introduction&Act 1, Scene 1 from 2015-08-13T19:59:56

The texts, sources and performance history of Hamlet Bernardo relieves Francisco Marcellus brings in Horatio for a ghostly consultation The ghost is here! Horatio’s theory: it’s about Norway The...

Hamlet Part 2: Act 1, Scenes 2 and 3 from 2015-08-13T19:58:16

Claudius thanks everyone for going along with the marriage Claudius sends Voltemand and Cornelius to deal with Norway Polonius wants Claudius’ permission to go to France Get over it, Hamlet / Yo...

Hamlet Part 3: Act 1, Scenes 4 and 5&Act 2, Scene 1 from 2015-08-13T19:57:15

Hamlet hates the Danish reputation for drunkenness Hamlet sees the ghost Horatio and the guards try to keep Hamlet from going with the ghost Catholics, Protestants and ghosts The ghost tells Ham...

Hamlet Part 4: Act 2, Scene 2 from 2015-08-13T19:55:12

Claudius and Gertrude assign Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to investigate Hamlet’s behavior Voltemand and Cornelius announce that the Norwegian troubles are over Polonius floats a theory about Ha...

Hamlet Part 5: Act 3, Scenes 1 and 2 from 2015-08-13T19:53:37

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern report back to Claudius and Gertrude Polonius and Claudius set Ophelia as bait and hide Hamlet wonders why he’s afraid to act Ophelia returns Hamlet’s gifts Hamlet g...

Hamlet Part 6: Act 3, Scenes 3 and 4&Act 4, Scenes 1, 2 and 3 from 2015-08-13T19:52:07

Claudius tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to take Hamlet to England Claudius confesses the murder but can’t repent Hamlet sneaks up on Claudius but can’t go through with his revenge Hamlet con...

Hamlet Part 7: Act 4, Scenes 4, 5, 6 and 7 from 2015-08-13T19:49:53

Hamlet meets the Norwegian army Hamlet feels like a dope compared to Fortinbras Ophelia goes crazy Laertes is back from France and he’s angry Claudius insists he’s innocent of Polonius’ death La...

Hamlet Part 8: Act 5, Scene 1 from 2015-08-13T19:47:40

The gravediggers dig and riddle Hamlet thinks about what’s left after death Hamlet and the gravedigger trade wits Hamlet faces his old friend Yorick’s skull Ophelia’s funeral procession arrives ...

Hamlet Part 9: Act 5, Scene 2&Conclusion from 2015-08-13T19:46:06

Hamlet tells Horatio about Claudius’ plot and his pirate adventures Osric delivers the challenge, and Hamlet mocks him mercilessly Hamlet is ready to die Hamlet apologizes to Laertes Hamlet and ...

Introduction from 2015-08-08T15:09:28

1. What is Clear Shakespeare, and who is it for?  2. The life and times of William Shakespeare (15:23)  3. The afterlife of Shakespeare – how he became SHAKESPEARE (37:14)  4. The accidental bar...