The Shakespeare Library
- Episodes
- 195
- Format
- Series – listen from the start
- Latest episode
- Nov 13, 2026
About the podcast
Attend, good listener, and lend thine ear to a noble feast of words: a podcast wherein the plays of Shakespeare are spoken whole and unabridged, scene by scene and act by act, that none of their majesty be lost. Here shall kings thunder, lovers sigh, fools jest, and spirits walk by moonlit hour, all in the fullness of their proper speech. Whether thou seekest tragedy, comedy, or histories rich with crown and quarrel, this stage of sound brings the Bard’s immortal works unto thy very chamber.
Episodes 195
The Tempest Act IV
In which the good Prospero doth bestow his daughter upon young Ferdinand with solemn care and a conjured masque of heavenly spirits to bless their love, whilst a darker plot beneath doth brew, stirring mischief …
Show notes
In which the good Prospero doth bestow his daughter upon young Ferdinand with solemn care and a conjured masque of heavenly spirits to bless their love, whilst a darker plot beneath doth brew, stirring mischief among Caliban and his drunken companions. The enchantments of this isle reveal both the frailty of dreams and the firmness of resolve, as spirits dance and mortals plot beneath the watchful eye of their master.The Tempest Act III
In which the young lovers, Miranda and Ferdinand, exchange vows of affection amidst toils and tender thoughts, while elsewhere the comic lowly trio devise reckless plans upon the enchanted isle. Meanwhile …
Show notes
In which the young lovers, Miranda and Ferdinand, exchange vows of affection amidst toils and tender thoughts, while elsewhere the comic lowly trio devise reckless plans upon the enchanted isle. Meanwhile, Prospero’s spirit Ariel visits the shipwrecked nobles with a harpy’s grim reproach, weaving enchantments that bind their wills and reveal the weight of their past misdeeds.The Tempest Act II
In which the weary survivors of a tempestuous shipwreck discourse with varied humour and grave sorrow upon their fortunes and losses, while secret designs of ambition and treachery begin to stir beneath the …
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In which the weary survivors of a tempestuous shipwreck discourse with varied humour and grave sorrow upon their fortunes and losses, while secret designs of ambition and treachery begin to stir beneath the island’s gentle veil. Meanwhile, the island’s more humble denizens awaken in drunken mirth and mischief, plotting their own strange and comical adventures beneath the tempest’s shadow.The Tempest Act I
In which a fierce tempest besets a royal vessel upon the vast and mysterious sea, conveying those aboard to an enchanted isle governed by the stern yet learned Prospero, who reveals to his daughter Miranda the …
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In which a fierce tempest besets a royal vessel upon the vast and mysterious sea, conveying those aboard to an enchanted isle governed by the stern yet learned Prospero, who reveals to his daughter Miranda the tale of their lost dukedom and the treacheries that brought them to this remote dominion. Amidst the stirring winds and magical spirits, the narrative unfolds with shadows of betrayal, the arrival of noble castaways, and the uneasy reckonings upon this bewitched shore.The Tempest Dramatis Personae
In which the noble personages and varied spirits that shall grace the unfolding tale are introduced with reverence, setting the stage for a narrative woven with sovereignty, usurpation, and otherworldly …
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In which the noble personages and varied spirits that shall grace the unfolding tale are introduced with reverence, setting the stage for a narrative woven with sovereignty, usurpation, and otherworldly attendants. The names of kings, dukes, counsellors, and creatures both human and fantastical are declared, preparing the mind's eye for the tempest yet to come.Cymbeline Act 5
In which noble Posthumus, disguised and fallen among foes, endures captivity and the weight of conscience whilst the tides of battle shift ’twixt Romans and Britons, bringing forth brave deeds and unexpected …
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In which noble Posthumus, disguised and fallen among foes, endures captivity and the weight of conscience whilst the tides of battle shift ’twixt Romans and Britons, bringing forth brave deeds and unexpected rescues. The tangled fates of king, queen, children, and loyal subjects unravel with wonders and revelations, culminating in a grand reconciliation cast under Jupiter’s watchful eye and the promise of peace.Cymbeline Act 4
In which a gentle youth named Fidele finds kind hospitality among rustic fathers, whilst Cloten, a prince of foolish spirit, seeks violent reckoning in the wilds, leading to a fatal encounter. And lo, as grief …
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In which a gentle youth named Fidele finds kind hospitality among rustic fathers, whilst Cloten, a prince of foolish spirit, seeks violent reckoning in the wilds, leading to a fatal encounter. And lo, as grief and valour entwine beneath the shade of sorrow, a tender dirge is sung o’er fallen heads whilst distant legions prepare, and hope and doubt conspire amid the looming stir of war.Cymbeline Act 3
In which the frailties of love and trust unravel amidst royal intrigues and bitter accusations, casting shadows over loyal hearts and stirring the coils of vengeance and disguise. Meanwhile, concealment and …
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In which the frailties of love and trust unravel amidst royal intrigues and bitter accusations, casting shadows over loyal hearts and stirring the coils of vengeance and disguise. Meanwhile, concealment and revelation dance hand in hand as exiled princes and steadfast servants navigate the wilderness both without and within, bound by honour, betrayal, and a yearning for truth.Cymbeline Act 2
In which noble Imogen, esteemed for her virtue and grace, navigates the perils of courtly love and suspicion amidst the watchful eyes of a contentious stepmother and an unseemly suitor, whilst loyal friends and …
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In which noble Imogen, esteemed for her virtue and grace, navigates the perils of courtly love and suspicion amidst the watchful eyes of a contentious stepmother and an unseemly suitor, whilst loyal friends and wary observers contemplate the turbulence that stirs beneath the regal surface. Meanwhile, the subtle designs of strangers and the weight of honour intertwine in a delicate balance, as tokens and words seek to prove or betray the trueness of a lady’s heart.Cymbeline Act 1
In which the noble Posthumus Leonatus is revealed to have won the heart of a king’s sole daughter, yet finds himself exiled and separated from his beloved Imogen, whose loyalty is tested by court intrigues and …
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In which the noble Posthumus Leonatus is revealed to have won the heart of a king’s sole daughter, yet finds himself exiled and separated from his beloved Imogen, whose loyalty is tested by court intrigues and accusations. Meanwhile, a crafty Italian named Iachimo wagers on his success to besmirch Imogen’s honour, setting in motion a silent tempest of jealousy and deceit that shadow the court’s troubled peace.Cymbeline Dramatis Personae
In which we are presented with a learned meditation upon the curious peculiarities of early print, where letters dance their strange disguises and inked conventions confound the unwaried eye, enshrined within a …
Show notes
In which we are presented with a learned meditation upon the curious peculiarities of early print, where letters dance their strange disguises and inked conventions confound the unwaried eye, enshrined within a fetching preamble to the timeless verse. Thus, the prologue doth invite us to ponder the caprices of the printer’s hand and the scholar’s gaze ere we embark upon the unfolding tale.The Winter's Tale Act 5
In which King Leontes reflects with deep penitence on his past misdeeds and the loss of his queen, while new arrivals from Bohemia bring news that stirs both hope and uncertainty within the royal court …
Show notes
In which King Leontes reflects with deep penitence on his past misdeeds and the loss of his queen, while new arrivals from Bohemia bring news that stirs both hope and uncertainty within the royal court. Thereafter, amid the marvels of art and faith, the long-hidden secrets of the royal family begin to unfold with a grace that moves hearts and bridges sorrow with wonder.The Winter's Tale Act 4
In which Time, the ever-watchful narrator, hastens us forward sixteen years to the fair realm of Bohemia where the lives of a shepherd’s daughter and a prince intertwine amidst rustic festivity, loyal service …
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In which Time, the ever-watchful narrator, hastens us forward sixteen years to the fair realm of Bohemia where the lives of a shepherd’s daughter and a prince intertwine amidst rustic festivity, loyal service, and disguised truths. Amidst pastoral dances and cunning rogueries, the tale unfolds themes of love, loyalty, and the swift currents of fortune, as characters navigate the delicate intersections of nature, honour, and royal command.The Winter's Tale Act 3
In which the noble queen Hermione stands accused before her husband King Leontes, declaring her innocence with dignified fortitude whilst an oracle from Apollo delivers a stern, mysterious decree; and where …
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In which the noble queen Hermione stands accused before her husband King Leontes, declaring her innocence with dignified fortitude whilst an oracle from Apollo delivers a stern, mysterious decree; and where sorrowful tidings and strange portents unfold, revealing the perilous fate of a forsaken child in the wilds of Bohemia. The air is heavy with justice, jealousy, and portentous woes as men and women wrestle with truth, honour, and the merciless workings of fate.The Winter's Tale Act 2
In which the tender innocence of a child and a mother’s steadfast virtue are called into grievous question by a king’s sharp suspicion, clouding his heart with doubts that set a harsh tribunal in motion. The …
Show notes
In which the tender innocence of a child and a mother’s steadfast virtue are called into grievous question by a king’s sharp suspicion, clouding his heart with doubts that set a harsh tribunal in motion. The loyal and bold voices of those who cherish truth strive to soften the storm of jealousy, yet the wheels of stern justice begin their solemn turn amidst the poignant cries of innocence confined.The Winter's Tale Act 1
In which the noble courts of Sicilia and Bohemia are graced by the bonds of old friendship and the innocent play of young princes, yet beneath the gleam of courtesy stir whisperings of doubt and shadowed …
Show notes
In which the noble courts of Sicilia and Bohemia are graced by the bonds of old friendship and the innocent play of young princes, yet beneath the gleam of courtesy stir whisperings of doubt and shadowed mistrust. Therein unfolds a sleepless suspicion, troubling the heart of a king, whose allegiance is tested by the counsel of a wary servant and the dark breeding of jealousy.The Winter's Tale Dramatis Personae
In which the noble personages are introduced, setting the stage with kings, queens, lords, and ladies poised in the realm of Sicilia and Bohemia, their names and stations lightly penned to guide the unfolding …
Show notes
In which the noble personages are introduced, setting the stage with kings, queens, lords, and ladies poised in the realm of Sicilia and Bohemia, their names and stations lightly penned to guide the unfolding tale. This gathering of souls, from royalty to rustic folk, heralds the varied scenes and manifold humours that shall presently weave the fabric of our narrative.Coriolanus Act 5
In which the formidable Coriolanus stands resolute against the entreaties of his own kin, whose heartfelt supplications and humble prostrations seek to sway his stern purpose amidst a city rent by war and …
Show notes
In which the formidable Coriolanus stands resolute against the entreaties of his own kin, whose heartfelt supplications and humble prostrations seek to sway his stern purpose amidst a city rent by war and vengeance. Yet, as the tide of fate turns and reconciliations bloom through maternal grace, the fickle theatre of power unveils its cruel design, where honour and wrath intertwine upon the stage of public judgement.Coriolanus Act 4
In which the banished warrior, clad in humble guise, seeks warring alliance with his erstwhile foe against the city that cast him out, stirring tides of discord and allegiance alike. The scene unfolds with …
Show notes
In which the banished warrior, clad in humble guise, seeks warring alliance with his erstwhile foe against the city that cast him out, stirring tides of discord and allegiance alike. The scene unfolds with fervent speeches, hidden resentments, and the restless throng of citizens whose loyalties flicker betwixt fear and hope amidst the gathering storm.Coriolanus Act 3
In which the noble Coriolanus returns to Rome to confront the swelling discord betwixt the patricians and the plebeians, his austere nature inciting strife that doth endanger both honour and peace; and in which …
Show notes
In which the noble Coriolanus returns to Rome to confront the swelling discord betwixt the patricians and the plebeians, his austere nature inciting strife that doth endanger both honour and peace; and in which his proud spirit is wrested towards humility by his mother’s entreaties, setting him upon the tumultuous stage of public judgement and banishment.Coriolanus Act 2
In which the noble Caius Martius, newly surnamed Coriolanus, returns triumphant from war, yet with a pride and disdain that stirs unease among the Roman tribunes and common folk; the city celebrates his martial …
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In which the noble Caius Martius, newly surnamed Coriolanus, returns triumphant from war, yet with a pride and disdain that stirs unease among the Roman tribunes and common folk; the city celebrates his martial glory even as councils and citizens alike deliberate his bearing and the manner in which he seeks their favour. The scene unfolds with tribunes plotting to sway the people against him, whilst Coriolanus wrestles with humility’s guise, marking the delicate and troubled dance between honour, power, and popular esteem.Coriolanus Act 1
In which the common citizens of Rome, starved and enraged, rise in mutiny against their leaders, whilst the noble Martius scorning their unrest, readies for war and earns renown through valiant deeds at …
Show notes
In which the common citizens of Rome, starved and enraged, rise in mutiny against their leaders, whilst the noble Martius scorning their unrest, readies for war and earns renown through valiant deeds at Corioles. Meanwhile, enmity kindles between Martius and the Volscian Aufidius, setting the stage with thunderous clashes and honour fought fiercely amidst strife.Coriolanus Dramatis Personae
In which the grand assembly of personages is presented, setting the stage with noble Romans and their noble foes alike, entwined in the tapestry of honour and strife. Here, the players of war and peace make …
Show notes
In which the grand assembly of personages is presented, setting the stage with noble Romans and their noble foes alike, entwined in the tapestry of honour and strife. Here, the players of war and peace make their entrance, their names heralding the roles they shall perform amid the city's tumultuous fortunes.Pericles, Prince of Tyre Act 5
In which the long-lost Marina, gifted with rare arts and noble bearing, draws her sorrowing father Pericles from his grief, unveiling truths of lineage and fate amid the blessings of gods and the grace of a …
Show notes
In which the long-lost Marina, gifted with rare arts and noble bearing, draws her sorrowing father Pericles from his grief, unveiling truths of lineage and fate amid the blessings of gods and the grace of a holy temple. The reunited family, graced by divine vision and mortal loyalty, prepares to restore their fortunes and rejoice in the gentle closing of their tempestuous tale.Pericles, Prince of Tyre Act 4
In which Marina, nurtured in grace yet pursued by deadly envy, is seized by pirates and thrust into perilous captivity, while her unwitting foes mask dark deceits with false memorials and grim plots. Meanwhile …
Show notes
In which Marina, nurtured in grace yet pursued by deadly envy, is seized by pirates and thrust into perilous captivity, while her unwitting foes mask dark deceits with false memorials and grim plots. Meanwhile, in the shadowed haunts of Mytilene, her virtue and wit withstand the vile designs of those who seek to mar her honour, revealing steadfastness amidst corrupt and threatening surrounds.Pericles, Prince of Tyre Act 3
In which the tempest-tossed prince Pericles faces the grievous loss of his queen at sea, whilst he tenderly entrusts their newborn daughter to faithful guardians. Meanwhile, the gentle healer Cerimon discovers …
Show notes
In which the tempest-tossed prince Pericles faces the grievous loss of his queen at sea, whilst he tenderly entrusts their newborn daughter to faithful guardians. Meanwhile, the gentle healer Cerimon discovers the washed-up queen and, with learned art and virtue, restores her to life amidst the tender wonders of fate.Pericles, Prince of Tyre Act 2
In which the noble Pericles, having braved the tempestuous seas and fortune’s cruel turns, finds himself clothed anew and welcomed at the court of King Simonides to take part in a tournament held in honour of …
Show notes
In which the noble Pericles, having braved the tempestuous seas and fortune’s cruel turns, finds himself clothed anew and welcomed at the court of King Simonides to take part in a tournament held in honour of the king’s daughter. Here, amid scrutinies of outward semblance and the tender exchanges of affections, the prince and princess are soon joined in matrimony by royal consent, promising a union that doth stir both hope and courtly discourse.Pericles, Prince of Tyre Act 1
In which Prince Pericles, faced with a fatal riddle concerning the forbidden love of Antioch’s daughter, wisely flees a city shadowed by incestuous tyranny and impending death, seeking refuge and counsel among …
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In which Prince Pericles, faced with a fatal riddle concerning the forbidden love of Antioch’s daughter, wisely flees a city shadowed by incestuous tyranny and impending death, seeking refuge and counsel among allies. Meanwhile, in wretched Tarsus, ravaged by famine and despair, Pericles offers aid with noble generosity, setting the stage for a tale of honour, adversity, and princely grace.Antony and Cleopatra Act 5
In which the mighty Caesar receives grievous news of Antony's demise and seeks to gently temper the captive Cleopatra's spirit with promises of honour and mercy, whilst she wrestles with the heavy yoke of …
Show notes
In which the mighty Caesar receives grievous news of Antony's demise and seeks to gently temper the captive Cleopatra's spirit with promises of honour and mercy, whilst she wrestles with the heavy yoke of fortune and the shadow of her fallen lord. The queen, steadfast and regal to the last, embraces her sovereign fate with immortal longing, choosing a death both resolute and poignant, sealing the tragic close of her storied reign.Antony and Cleopatra Act 4
In which the valiant Antony girds himself for battle against Caesar’s advancing forces, rallying his loyal comrades with a soldier’s heart and hopeful spirit amidst tides of shifting fortune. Yet as despair …
Show notes
In which the valiant Antony girds himself for battle against Caesar’s advancing forces, rallying his loyal comrades with a soldier’s heart and hopeful spirit amidst tides of shifting fortune. Yet as despair shadows the field and trust falters, the weight of love and war entwines tragic resolve, leading noble souls to reckon with the bitter cost of loyalty and loss.
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