Everest Media LLC
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Please note: This audiobook has been created using AI voice.
An ambassador sent by King Philip of France delivers an ominous threat: King John must relinquish his throne to its rightful heir, his nephew Arthur of Bretagne, or France will declare a "fierce and bloody war." John refuses. After receiving this news, Philip orders his forces to prepare an attack on the Englishcontrolled French town of Angiers, and the citizens must then swear allegiance to Arthur or die.
King John also must deal with a dispute over land ownership between the Faulconbridge brothers. Their father knew that the older son was not his, and before his death, he bequeathed all of his lands to the younger son. John rules that the bastard son rightfully owns the lands regardless of who is his true father. John's mother, Elinor, sees that the bastard son resembles Richard the Lionheart and proposes that he renounce his claim to the Faulconbridge land in exchange for a knighthood. He agrees and becomes Sir Richard Plantagenet.
This Standard Ebooks production is based on William George Clark and William Aldis Wright's 1887 Victoria edition, which is taken from the Globe edition. -
Please note: This audiobook has been created using AI voice.
As the dust settles on the battlefield at Shrewsbury, news spreads that the rebel forces fighting against King Henry IV have suffered a terrible defeat. Their leader, Harry "Hotspur" Percy, was killed by Prince Hal. The rebel troops quickly abandon the fight after seeing their leader die. Two powerful cohorts, the Earl of Worcester and Douglas, are taken as prisoners by the King's men. The Earl of Northumberland vows to avenge his son's death and plans to seek support from the Archbishop of York.
Meanwhile, the Archbishop has convened his group of allies-Thomas Mowbray, Lord Hastings, and Lord Bardolph-to plan the next battle against King Henry. If they want a chance of winning, they fight on three separate fronts: one to fight King Henry's forces, one to fight the Welsh rebels led by Owen Glendower, and one to maintain the fight in France. They decide to follow this plan regardless of whether or not Northumberland lends them his army.
As the Prince's merry team of misfits return to London, Falstaff continues to create mischief wherever he goes. After hearing that his father has fallen sick, Hal starts to regret the days when he used to drink and steal with Falstaff. If he is to be the next king, he must leave behind his past along with his partners in crime.
This Standard Ebooks production is based on William George Clark and William Aldis Wright's 1887 Victoria edition, which is taken from the Globe edition. -
Please note: This audiobook has been created using AI voice.
A storm has caused a terrible shipwreck off the Illyrian coast. Two siblings, Viola and her brother Sebastian, become separated, each believing the other has drowned. Viola washes ashore and meets a friendly sea captain who offers to help her find work for Duke Orsino-but first she must disguise herself as a man named Cesario.
There is news that Duke Orsino is planning to propose to Countess Olivia. As Viola, disguised as Cesario, meets them both, a love triangle quickly forms. Shakespeare's ability to weave love, confusion, mistaken identities, and joyful discovery shines through in this timeless romantic comedy.
This Standard Ebooks production is based on William George Clark and William Aldis Wright's 1887 Victoria edition, which is taken from the Globe edition. -
Please note: This audiobook has been created using AI voice.
Henry VIII is one of the few of Shakespeare's plays thought to have been written with a collaborator. It was initially published in the First Folio under Shakespeare's name only, but in 1850 James Spedding, an English author and expert on the works of Francis Bacon, suggested that the play was a collaboration with John Fletcher, a playwright who later replaced Shakespeare in the King's Men acting company. Modern scholars mostly tend to agree, though the theory is still controversial as it's based on textual analysis and not any historical mention of a collaboration. The play is also famous for having burned down the Globe Theatre in 1613 during one of its early performances, when a cannon shot special effect lit the theater's thatched roof on fire.
In the play, King Henry's closest advisor, Cardinal Wolsey, is hated by the citizens of England. Wolsey has imposed unfair taxes and unpopularly executed the Duke of Buckingham for treason. While at a party, the King falls madly in love with Anne Bullen and plans to divorce his current wife, Katherine of Aragon. Wolsey is asked to help his King in this endeavor, all the while becoming even more hated by the English and their Queen.
This Standard Ebooks production is based on William George Clark and William Aldis Wright's 1887 Victoria edition, which is taken from the Globe edition. -
Please note: This audiobook has been created using AI voice.
After the bloody battle at Tewksbury and the second dethroning of Henry VI, England and its citizens are finally able to enjoy peace under the reign of Edward IV. The remaining Lancastrian leaders are either killed or scattered to the four winds. Within the kingdom, not everyone is happy with their new king-and when Edward falls ill, his powerhungry brother Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, sees his chance and prepares to kill anyone who stands between him and the throne.
Richard puts into play numerous schemes to eradicate the line of succession and control the court. The first victim is King Edward's other brother, Clarence. Rumors lead to Clarence's imprisonment in the Tower of London, and Richard sends two murderers to stab him to death. This causes Edward's health to worsen, and the title of Protector falls to the remaining brother. Next on Richard's hit list is Lord Hastings, the loudest voice to object to Richard's accession, and who is promptly arrested and executed for treason. As Richard orchestrates murder after murder, the deaths start coming back to haunt him.
This Standard Ebooks production is based on William George Clark and William Aldis Wright's 1887 Victoria edition, which is taken from the Globe edition. -
Please note: This audiobook has been created using AI voice.
King Henry IV's plan to lead a crusade to Jerusalem is put on hold after he hears about skirmishes along England's Welsh and Scottish borders. The Welsh rebel Glendower has fought off the English forces and has managed to capture Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March. Meanwhile, Harry Percy's fight is successfully keeping the Scottish rebels, led by Douglas, at bay. Meanwhile Harry Perry, better known as Hotspur, has taken numerous political prisoners, including Douglas's son Mordake.
The king is also concerned about his son Hal. During this time of political unrest, Hal has been spending most of his time drinking with criminals and highwaymen in taverns on the poor side of London-behavior unbefitting a future king. His closest friend and partner in crime is Sir John Falstaff, a fat old drunk and a charismatic thief. When the king calls for his wild son to return to court, Falstaff and his streetsmart group of friends are ready to support their prince on the battlefront.
This Standard Ebooks production is based on William George Clark and William Aldis Wright's 1887 Victoria edition, which is taken from the Globe edition. -
Please note: This audiobook has been created using AI voice.
In a French duchy, the old Duke has been usurped by his younger brother, Frederick. A young man named Orlando is mistreated by his elder brother, against their dead father's wishes. Rosalind, the old Duke's daughter, has been allowed to remain in court only because she is the closest friend of Celia, Duke Frederick's daughter. When Rosalind is banished from court, she flees to the Forest of Arden with Celia and Touchstone, the court fool; meanwhile, Orlando also escapes to the forest, fleeing his brother. In the Forest of Arden, the old Duke holds court with exiled supporters, including the melancholy Jacques. There, Rosalind disguises herself as Ganymede and offers advice to a group of wouldbe lovers: Orlando, who has taken to posting love poems dedicated to Rosalind on trees, and Silvius and Phebe, two young shepherds.
Shakespeare is thought to have written As You Like It around 1599; while stylistic analysis has not conclusively established its place in the canon, it was certainly completed by August 1600 and was published in the First Folio in 1623. There are no certain dates of performance until the 17th century, but it may have been performed in 1599 or 1603. The play includes a number of Shakespeare's most famous speeches, including Jacques' monologue, "All the world's a stage."
This Standard Ebooks production is based on William George Clark and William Aldis Wright's 1887 Victoria edition, which is taken from the Globe edition. -
Please note: This audiobook has been created using AI voice.
King Duncan's closest generals, Macbeth and Banquo, have just defeated two invading armies and the Irish rebel Macdonwald. Out across the misty moor, they encounter three witches who reveal to Macbeth a powerful prophecy: "All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!" They not only claim that Macbeth will eventually become King of Scotland, but that Banquo will father a line of Scottish kings-though ominously, Banquo will never be king himself.
This shocking tragedy-a violent caution to those seeking power for its own sake-is, to this day, one of Shakespeare's most popular and influential masterpieces.
This Standard Ebooks production is based on William George Clark and William Aldis Wright's 1887 Victoria edition, which is taken from the Globe edition. -
Much Ado About Nothing (Unabridged)
William Shakespeare
- Everest media llc
- 5 Avril 2022
- 9781669374473
Please note: This audiobook has been created using AI voice.
Shakespeare wrote Much Ado About Nothing towards the middle of his career, sometime between 1598 and 1599. It was first published in quarto in 1600 and later collected into Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies in 1623. The earliest recorded performance of Much Ado About Nothing was performed for the newlymarried Princess Elizabeth and Frederick the Fifth, Elector Palatine in 1613.
Shakespeare's sources of inspiration for this play can be found in Italian culture and popular texts published in the sixteenth century. Gossip involving lovers deceived into believing each other false was often spread throughout Northern Italy. Works like Ludovico Ariosto's Orlando Furioso and Edmund Spencer's Fearie Queene also feature tricked lovers like Claudio and Hero. Besides these similarities, the idea of tricking a couple like Benedick and Beatrice into falling in love was an original and unusual idea at the time.
The play focuses on two couples: upon the noblemen's return to Messina, Claudio and Hero quickly fall in love and wish to marry in a week; on the contrary, Benedick and Beatrice resume their verbal war, exchanging insults with each other. To pass the time prior to the marriage a plot to trick Benedick and Beatrice into falling in love has been set in motion. Unbeknownst to both our couples, a fouler plot to crush the love and happiness between Hero and Claudio has also begun to unfold.
This Standard Ebooks production is based on William George Clark and William Aldis Wright's 1887 Victoria edition, which is taken from the Globe edition. -
Please note: This audiobook has been created using AI voice.
Though mostly known for his plays, Shakespeare also published poetry during his writing career. From 1592 to 1593, an outbreak of the bubonic plague swept through England, killing almost 20,000 people. In January 1593 city officials ordered the theaters in London to shut their doors, and work for the famous playwright and actor came to a halt. Shakespeare turned to writing poetry to make ends meet during the closures. While the plague hindered his work in theaters, it provided source material for some of his most famous plays.
He first published "Venus and Adonis" in 1593, followed by "The Rape of Lucrece" in 1594. While both narrative poems contain sexual themes, their views on love versus lust are in stark contrast. After the theaters reopened, Shakespeare continued to write poetry and went on to publish "The Passionate Pilgrim" and "The Phoenix and the Turtle." The last of his poems were published in his 1609 quarto, containing 154 sonnets and "A Lover's Complaint." The sonnets cover an array of themes: different types of romantic love, real beauty versus clichéd beauty, and the responsibilities of being beautiful.
This Standard Ebooks production includes all of his poems and is based on William George Clark and William Aldis Wright's 1887 Victoria edition, which is taken from the Globe edition. -
Please note: This audiobook has been created using AI voice.
Against the advice of his counselors, Richard II has been taking money from England's coffers and spending it on fashion and close friends. In order to continue his wasteful spending, he raises taxes on the commoners and leases portions of English land to wealthy noblemen. He also sees an opportunity to seize more land and money after hearing news of John of Gaunt's failing health.
King Richard arrives at Windsor Castle to settle a dispute between Henry Bolingbroke, the Duke of Hereford and son of John of Gaunt, and Thomas Mowbray, the Duke of Norfolk. Bolingbroke accuses Mowbray of numerous counts of treason: embezzling funds for Richard's soldiers, conspiring against the king for the past eighteen years, and murdering the Duke of Gloucester. Mowbray denies these charges and claims to have repented for any wrongs he has caused in the past. John of Gaunt tries to convince the two to reconcile, but his attempts fall on deaf ears. Richard determines that a trial by combat will settle the matter.
This Standard Ebooks production is based on William George Clark and William Aldis Wright's 1887 Victoria edition, which is taken from the Globe edition. -
Please note: This audiobook has been created using AI voice.
The first battle of St. Alban's is over and the White Rose faction is victorious. They have captured Henry VI and, after having threatened him with violence, secured the king's promise of passing the crown to Edward Plantagenet after his death. Not willing to accept her son's disinheritance, Queen Margaret decides to take matters into her own hands and declares war on the Yorkists.
Margaret's forces invade Wakefield Castle, home to the Duke of York and his sons, and successfully capture York. The queen and Clifford taunt York and eventually stab him to death. York's sons Edward and Richard receive news of their father's death, vow to get their revenge, and plan to place Edward on the English throne.
This Standard Ebooks production is based on William George Clark and William Aldis Wright's 1887 Victoria edition, which is taken from the Globe edition -
Please note: This audiobook has been created using AI voice.
Othello was written in 1603 and first performed in 1604. The underlying story is based on "A Moorish Captain," one of the stories in Cinthio's Gli Hecatommithi, written in 1565.
Othello is a Moorish black general in Venice, known for his military prowess. He elopes with Desdemona, a noble Venetian lady, who is the daughter of Brabantio, a senator. When Othello promotes Cassio to be his lieutenant over Iago, his ensign, the evil Iago gets his revenge by alleging an affair between Cassio and Desdemona, sowing doubt in the mind of Othello.
This Standard Ebooks production is based on William George Clark and William Aldis Wright's 1887 Victoria edition, which is taken from the Globe edition. -
Please note: This audiobook has been created using AI voice.
Suffolk returns from France bringing the new Queen of England, Margaret of Anjou, and a peace treaty. The Duke of Gloucester discovers that the French forces are allowed to keep the territories of Anjou and Maine in a trade for Margaret; he foresees that England will lose what little control remains over France. Because Gloucester heavily influences King Henry VI's decisions and is highly respected amongst his peers, he is seen as a major target.
Cardinal Beaufort, Gloucester's main rival, mentions to Buckingham and Somerset his interest in removing Gloucester. The Duke of York sees Gloucester's death as an opportunity to grab the English throne for himself. The French are also in favor of removing Gloucester from power. For Queen Margaret and the Duke of Suffolk to manipulate the king and help France, Henry's most loyal advisor must not stand in their way.
This Standard Ebooks production is based on William George Clark and William Aldis Wright's 1887 Victoria edition, which is taken from the Globe edition. -
Please note: This audiobook has been created using AI voice.
Not only was Hamlet one of William Shakespeare's most popular works during his lifetime, it is also considered among the most powerful and influential works of world literature. "To be, or not to be," a line from one of Hamlet's soliloquies, is one of the most widely known quotes in modern English and has been referenced in countless works of literature, theater, film, and music.
During a dark winter night Horatio and a pair of watchmen encounter a ghost that resembles the late King of Denmark, the father of Prince Hamlet. After failing to converse with the ghost, Hamlet is brought to the site of the encounter. The ghost tells the story of his death. He was murdered by King Claudius, the dead king's brother and Hamlet's new stepfather. Hamlet swears to avenge him and kill Claudius.
This Standard Ebooks production is based on William George Clark and William Aldis Wright's 1887 Victoria edition, which is taken from the Globe edition.
