The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare audiobook

The Merchant of Venice

By William Shakespeare
Performed by Bill Nighy, Haydn Gwynne, and
a full cast

Arkangel

The Arkangel Shakespeare Collection

Audio Theater

Format : Library CD (In Stock)
  • ISBN: 9781932219227

  • ISBN: 9780792729761

Runtime: 2.28 Hours
Category: Nonfiction/Drama/Performing Arts
Audience: Adult
Language: English

Summary

Summary

A Crime Reads Pick of Legal Thrillers among the Classics

In Shakespeare’s most controversial play, the opposing values of justice and mercy must be resolved. Antonio promises money to help his friend Bassanio woo Portia. He borrows the sum needed from the cruel Shylock, but there will be a dreadful penalty if the loan is not repaid.

The golden world of Portia’s Belmont calls forth some of Shakespeare’s most lyrical love poetry. But the dark shadow of Shylock is never far from the heart of this brilliant comedy as it moves toward its courtroom climax.

Portia is played by Hadyn Gwynne and Shylock by Trevor Peacock. Julian Rhind-Tutt is Bassanio, and Bill Nighy is Antonio.

Editorial Reviews

Editorial Reviews

“Transforming any play into sound alone is a challenge, and one that is met by this Arkangel production…All the actors give strong performances…Trevor Peacock’s portrayal of Shylock stands out among those of a solid cast. Peacock uses a sly voice for Shylock, saving his best for the comedy’s climactic courtroom scene.” AudioFile
“A masterpiece of dramatic skill…The legal acuteness, the passionate declamations, the sound maxims of jurisprudence, the wit and irony interspersed in it, the fluctuations of hope and fear in the different persons, and the completeness and suddenness of the catastrophe, cannot be surpassed.” William Hazlett, Shakespearean critic, on the courtroom scene in Act IV

Reviews

Reviews

Author

Author Bio: William Shakespeare

Author Bio: William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (1564–1616), English poet and dramatist of the Elizabethan and early Jacobean period, is the most widely known author in all of English literature and often considered the greatest. He was an active member of a theater company for at least twenty years, during which time he wrote many great plays. Plays were not prized as literature at the time and Shakespeare was not widely read until the middle of the eighteenth century, when a great upsurge of interest in his works began that continues today.

Titles by Author

Details

Details

Available Formats : CD, Library CD
Category: Nonfiction/Drama/Performing Arts
Runtime: 2.28
Audience: Adult
Language: English