William Shakespeare: A Critical Study

audiobook

William Shakespeare: A Critical Study

by Georg Brandes

EN·~30 hours·1 chapter

Chapters

1 total
1

WILLIAM - SHAKESPEARE - A CRITICAL STUDY - BY - GEORGE BRANDES - LONDON - WILLIAM HEINEMANN - 1905

30:41:38

Description

A sweeping exploration of Shakespeare’s world opens with a vivid portrait of his early years in Stratford, his marriage, and his move to bustling London. By weaving together social history, contemporary politics, and the playwright’s own ventures on stage, the study paints a believable backdrop for his burgeoning career. Readers gain a sense of how the city’s theatres, costumes, and audiences shaped his early works.

The narrative then turns to his major dramas, tracing the evolution from the spirited comedies of “Much Ado about Nothing” to the brooding tragedies of “Hamlet” and “Richard III.” Themes such as gender dynamics, property, and national identity are examined alongside Shakespeare’s relationship to rival writers like Marlowe. Detailed attention to the sonnets reveals his poetic technique and philosophical influences.

Presented in a clear, conversational style, the work invites listeners to follow the scholar’s reasoning without feeling overwhelmed. It offers a solid foundation for anyone curious about how the playwright’s life, his era, and his artistic choices intertwine to create timeless literature.

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Details

Language

en

Duration

~30 hours (1767K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Produced by Jens Guld, Dagny & Marc D'Hooghe. (Images generously made available by the Internet Archive.)

Release date

2015-12-20

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

Georg Brandes

Georg Brandes

1842–1927

A sharp, influential critic who helped push Scandinavian literature toward realism, debate, and modern ideas. His essays and lectures made him one of the key literary voices in Denmark and across Europe in the late 19th century.

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