
VENUS AND ADONIS - by William Shakespeare
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY WRIOTHESLEY, EARL OF SOUTHAMPTON, and Baron of Titchfield.
VENUS AND ADONIS
In this spirited poetic drama, the goddess of love descends from her celestial realm to confront a young, sun‑kissed hunter who prefers the thrill of the chase to any romantic entanglement. Venus, radiant and relentless, showers Adonis with lavish compliments, fragrant promises, and an endless cascade of kisses, hoping to coax the reluctant mortal into surrendering his heart. Yet the handsome youth, fierce and proud, meets her advances with a blend of embarrassment, defiant humor, and a nervous fire that keeps him just out of reach.
The early scenes unfold like a vibrant dance, each line tugging at the tension between divine desire and human pride. Listeners will hear the playful banter, the vivid imagery of blossoms and hunting steeds, and the charged moment when Venus finally captures Adonis in a tender, if teasing, embrace. The piece stops just as their flirtatious battle reaches a pivotal pause, leaving the outcome of this mythic courtship hanging in the air.
Language
en
Duration
~57 minutes (55K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Dianne Bean Updated: 2023-01-08.
Release date
1997-09-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1564–1616
A playwright, poet, and actor from Stratford-upon-Avon, he created characters and lines that have stayed alive for more than four centuries. His stories of love, ambition, jealousy, power, and forgiveness still feel startlingly human.
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