Audiobooks by William Shakespeare

Classic Love Stories: A BBC Radio Drama Collection: 12 Full-Cast Dramatisations

"Twelve dramatisations of the best love stories ever written, performed by star casts Treat yourself to this stunning collection of classic stories of love, loss, obstacles overcome and desperate attraction. This is a beautiful, moving and at times thrilling listen which takes you on a journey through the greatest tales of romance ever told. These unmissable, dramatised novels feature stellar performances from fantastic casts including Vanessa Kirby, Hiftu Quasem, Kate Philips, Rory Kinnear, Toby Jones, John Hurt and David Tennant. Anna Karenina is Leo Tolstoy's powerful drama of desire, transgression and heartache. Starring Kate Philips (Wolf Hall), Alfred Enoch (Harry Potter) and Rory Kinnear (James Bond films). Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë is a fantastic mix of injustice, romance, passion and danger wrapped up in a glorious love story. Starring Amanda Hale (Catastrophe) and Tom Burke (Strike). Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary is a masterpiece of betrayal and wantonness - the first great novel of adultery. Starring Sarah Smart (Wallander), Jude Akuwudike (Gangs of London) and James D’Arcy (Broadchurch) with John Hurt (Harry Potter) as the Narrator. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. In a town full of hatred, where the streets ring with the Capulet-Montague feud and swords are too easily drawn, Romeo and Juliet find each other, fall in love, and never let go. Starring Trystan Gravelle (Mr Selfridge), Vanessa Kirby (Mission Impossible), David Tennant (Broadchurch) and Paul Ready (Motherland). Chéri by Colette is the story of a love affair between a courtesan and a man half her age, set in Paris before the First World War. Starring Frances Barber (Silk) and Joseph Millson (The Last Kingdom) with Lindsay Duncan (Birdman) as the Narrator. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen remains one of the world’s favourite novels, dealing with the timeless issues of love, social class and money with a witty, clever - though flawed - heroine at its heart. Starring Pippa Nixon (Unforgotten), Jamie Parker (The Crown) and Toby Jones (The Detectorists). The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni is an icon of Italian literature: the story of two lovers who want nothing more than to marry but are beset by the hazards of war, bread riots and the machinations of a nameless crime lord. Starring Hiftu Quasem (Killing Eve) and Ian Dunnett Jnr (Masters of the Air). The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall, written in 1928, is a pioneering novel about love and attraction between women. Starring Valerie Edmond as the enigmatic Stephen. Wuthering Heights is Emily Brontë's iconic love story. Heathcliff and Cathy's love is the beating heart of the story, set against the backdrop of the bleak Yorkshire moors. Starring Chloe Pirrie (Temple) and Ben Batt (Shameless). North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell explores social conscience, ideological difference and love in a mill town in the 1800s. Starring Emily Mortimer (The Pursuit of Love) and David Threlfall (Shameless). The Age of Innocence is Edith Wharton’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about a passionate life-long love affair which breaks all the rules of the restrictive high society of 1870's New York. Starring Susan Lynch (Happy Valley) and Kellie Bright (Eastenders). Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy is a story of the belief in true romance and the power of money and love. Starring Alex Tregear (Silk: The Clerk’s Room), Toby Jones (The Detectorists) and Patrick Kennedy (Boardwalk Empire). This stunning collection is packed with the best romance stories written in the last 500 years – a fully dramatised, unmissable listen featuring some of the biggest names of stage and screen. ©2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Alessandro Manzoni, Charlotte Brönte, Colette Avital, Edith Wharton, Elizabeth Gaskell, Emily Brönte, Gustave Flaubert, Jane Austen, Leo Tolstoy, Radclyffe Hall, Thomas Hardy, William Shakespeare (Author), David Tennant, Full Cast, John Hurt, Kate Philips, Rory Kinnear, Toby Jones, Tom Burke, Vanessa Kirby (Narrator)

Audiobook

Hamlet

"The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. Set in the Kingdom of Denmark, the play dramatizes the revenge Prince Hamlet exacts on his uncle Claudius for murdering King Hamlet, Claudius's brother and Prince Hamlet's father, and then succeeding to the throne and taking as his wife Gertrude, the old king's widow and Prince Hamlet's mother. The play vividly portrays both true and feigned madness – from overwhelming grief to seething rage – and explores themes of treachery, revenge, incest, and moral corruption."

William Shakespeare (Author), XYZ Voices (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Tempest

"'THE TEMPEST' is Shakespeare's last book. The story Prospero relates is that he is the rightful Duke of Milan and that his younger brother, Antonio, betrayed him, seizing his title and property. Twelve years earlier, Prospero and Miranda were put out to sea in little more than a raft. Miraculously, they both survived and arrived safely on this island, where Prospero learned to control the magic that he now uses to manipulate everyone on the island. Upon his arrival, Prospero rescued a sprite, Ariel, who had been imprisoned by the witch Sycorax. Ariel wishes to be free and his freedom has been promised within two days. The last inhabitant of the island is the child of Sycorax and the devil: Caliban, whom Prospero has enslaved. Caliban is a natural man, uncivilized and wishing only to have his island returned to him to that he can live alone in peace. Soon the royal party from the ship is cast ashore and separated into three groups. The king's son, Ferdinand, is brought to Prospero, where he sees Miranda, and the two fall instantly in love. Meanwhile, Alonso, the king of Naples, and the rest of his party have come ashore on another part of the island. Alonso fears that Ferdinand is dead and grieves for the loss of his son. Antonio, Prospero's younger brother, has also been washed ashore with the king's younger brother, Sebastian. Antonio easily convinces Sebastian that Sebastian should murder his brother and seize the throne for himself. This plot to murder Alonso is similar to Antonio's plot against his own brother, Prospero, 12 years earlier. Another part of the royal party — the court jester and the butler — has also come ashore. Trinculo and Stefano each stumble upon Caliban, and each immediately sees a way to make money by exhibiting Caliban as a monster recovered from this uninhabited island. Stefano has come ashore in a wine cask, and soon Caliban, Trinculo, and Stefano are drunk. While drinking, Caliban hatches a plot to murder Prospero and enrolls his two new acquaintances as accomplices. Ariel is listening, however, and reports the plot to Prospero. Next, Prospero stages a masque to celebrate the young couple's betrothal, with goddesses and nymphs entertaining the couple with singing and dancing. While Ferdinand and Miranda have been celebrating their love, Alonso and the rest of the royal party have been searching for the king's son. Exhausted from the search and with the king despairing of ever seeing his son alive, Prospero has ghosts and an imaginary banquet brought before the king's party. A god-like voice accuses Antonio, Alonso, and Sebastian of their sins, and the banquet vanishes. The men are all frightened, and Alonso, Antonio, and Sebastian run away. Prospero punishes Caliban, Trinculo, and Stefano with a run through a briar patch and swim in a scummy pond. Having accomplished what he set out to do, Prospero has the king's party brought in. Prospero is clothed as the rightful Duke of Milan, and when the spell has been removed, Alonso rejects all claims to Prospero's dukedom and apologizes for his mistakes. Within moments, Prospero reunites the king with his son, Ferdinand. Alonso is especially pleased to learn of Miranda's existence and that Ferdinand will marry her. Prospero then turns to his brother, Antonio, who offers no regrets or apology for his perfidy. Nevertheless, Prospero promises not to punish Antonio as a traitor. When Caliban is brought in, Caliban tells Prospero that he has learned his lesson. His two co-conspirators, Trinculo and Stefano, will be punished by the king. Soon, the entire party retires to Prospero's cell to celebrate and await their departure home. Only Prospero is left on stage. In a final speech, Prospero tells the audience that only with their applause will he be able to leave the island with the rest of the party. Prospero leaves the stage to the audience's applause."

William Shakespeare (Author), XYZ Voices (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Winter's Tale

"The Winter's Tale is a play by William Shakespeare, originally published in the First Folio of 1623. Although it was grouped among the comedies, some modern editors have relabelled the play as one of Shakespeare's late romances. Some critics consider it to be one of Shakespeare's 'problem plays', because the first three acts are filled with intense psychological drama, while the last two acts are comedic and supply a happy ending. The play has been intermittently popular, revived in productions in various forms and adaptations by some of the leading theatre practitioners in Shakespearean performance history, beginning after a long interval with David Garrick in his adaptation called Florizel and Perdita (first performed in 1754 and published in 1756). The Winter's Tale was revived again in the 19th century, when the third 'pastoral' act was widely popular. In the second half of the 20th century The Winter's Tale in its entirety, and drawn largely from the First Folio text, was often performed, with varying degrees of success. Short Summary of the Tale: John Fawcett as Autolycus in 'The Winter's Tale' (1828) by Thomas Charles Wageman. Following a brief setup scene the play begins with the appearance of two childhood friends: Leontes, King of Sicilia, and Polixenes, the King of Bohemia. Polixenes is visiting the kingdom of Sicilia, and is enjoying catching up with his old friend. However, after nine months, Polixenes yearns to return to his own kingdom to tend to affairs and see his son. Leontes desperately attempts to get Polixenes to stay longer, but is unsuccessful. Leontes then decides to send his wife, Queen Hermione, to try to convince Polixenes. Hermione agrees and with three short speeches is successful. Leontes is puzzled as to how Hermione convinced Polixenes so easily, and Leontes suddenly goes insane and suspects that his pregnant wife has been having an affair with Polixenes and that the child is a bastard. Leontes orders Camillo, a Sicilian Lord, to poison Polixenes. Camillo instead warns Polixenes and they both flee to Bohemia. Furious at their escape, Leontes now publicly accuses his wife of infidelity, and declares that the child she is bearing must be illegitimate. He throws her in prison, over the protests of his nobles, and sends two of his lords, Cleomenes and Dion, to the Oracle at Delphi for what he is sure will be confirmation of his suspicions. Meanwhile, the queen gives birth to a girl, and her loyal friend Paulina takes the baby to the king, in the hopes that the sight of the child will soften his heart. He grows angrier, however, and orders Paulina's husband, Lord Antigonus, to take the child and abandon it in a desolate place. Cleomenes and Dion return from Delphi with word from the Oracle and find Hermione publicly and humiliatingly put on trial before the king. She asserts her innocence, and asks for the word of the Oracle to be read before the court. The Oracle states categorically that Hermione and Polixenes are innocent, Camillo an honest man, and that Leontes will have no heir until his lost daughter is found. Leontes shuns the news, refusing to believe it as the truth. As this news is revealed, word comes that Leontes' son, Mamillius, has died of a wasting sickness brought on by the accusations against his mother. Hermione, meanwhile, falls in a swoon, and is carried away by Paulina, who subsequently reports the queen's death to her heartbroken and repentant husband. Leontes vows to spend the rest of his days atoning for the loss of his son and his queen."

William Shakespeare (Author), XYZ Voices (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Midsummer Night's Dream

"'Midsummer Night's Dream' is Shakespeare's classic tale of two couples who can't quite pair up to everyone's satisfaction. Demetrius and Lysander love Hermia. Hermia loves Lysander but has been promised to Demetrius by her father. Hermia's best friend Helena loves Demetrius, but in his obsession for Hermia Demetrius barely even notices her smitten friend. When Hermia and Lysander plan to elope all four find themselves in the forest late at night where the fairy Puck and his lord Oberon wreck havoc on the humans with a love potion that causes the victim to fall in love with the first thing they see upon waking. - Some Books of Shakespeare: - Romeo and Juliet (1597) - Hamlet (1599) - Macbeth (1606) - Julius Caesar (1599) - Othello (1603) - The Merchant of Venice (1598) - Much Ado About Nothing (1600) - King Lear (1606 - The Taming of the Shrew (1594) - The Comedy of Errors (1594)"

William Shakespeare (Author), XYZ Voices (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Classic Collection of William Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, A Midsu

"The Classic Collection of William Shakespeare invites listeners on an immersive journey through the timeless power of language, love, betrayal, ambition, and imagination. This curated selection of Shakespeare's greatest plays—including Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night's Dream—captures the full spectrum of the human experience in words that still breathe fire centuries later. Presented in rich, clear narration, this audio edition brings new vitality to the Bard's legendary works. Whether you're discovering Shakespeare for the first time or returning to his world with fresh ears, each performance highlights the musicality, wit, and emotional depth that have made these plays eternal. No summaries, no simplifications—just Shakespeare as he was meant to be heard. Let the poetry unfold. Let the voices speak. Let the magic begin. Perfect for fans of classic literature, drama lovers, students, and those seeking the soul of storytelling in its purest form. Contents - Titus Andronicus - The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet - A Midsummer Night's Dream - The Tragedy of Julius Caesar - The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark - Troilus and Cressida - The Tragedy of Othello, Moor of Venice - The Tragedy of King Lear - The Tragedy of Macbeth - The Life of Timon of Athens - Antony and Cleopatra - The Tragedy of Coriolanus - Cymbeline, King of Britain"

William Shakespeare (Author), David J.Miles, Mark Bowen (Narrator)

Audiobook

A midsummer night's dream

"A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare, is a comedy that weaves together the intersecting stories of four young lovers, amateur actors, and a group of fairies. Set in an enchanted forest, it explores themes of love, illusion, and the nature of desire. The plots follow the romantic entanglements of Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius, while other comedic subplots involve the misadventures of a group of amateur actors. And Oberon and Puck, the fairy king and his mischievous servant."

William Shakespeare (Author), Robin Schild (Narrator)

Audiobook

[German] - William Shakespeare: Die große Dramen Hörbuch Box: 12 Tragödien und Komödien ungekürzt ge

"Zwölf der wichtigsten und berühmtesten Dramen und Komödien William Shakespeares (1564 - 1616) - ungekürzt gelesen! In der Reihenfolge der Erstausgabe des 'First Folio', der ersten Werkausgabe des Dichters, die 1623 erschien. Mit dabei: Der Sturm, Viel Lärm um nichts, Ein Sommernachtstraum, Der Kaufmann von Venedig, Wie es euch gefällt, Der Widerspenstigen Zähmung, Romeo und Julia, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Hamlet, König Lear, Othello."

William Shakespeare (Author), Jürgen Fritsche (Narrator)

Audiobook

[German] - William Shakespeare: Macbeth: Hörbuchzeit: Klassiker der Weltliteratur

Hörbuchzeit, William Shakespeare (Author), Jürgen Fritsche (Narrator)

Audiobook

Beautiful Stories From Shakespeare: A soothing reading for sleep and relaxation

"Step into the enchanting world of Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare, a delightful collection by E. Nesbit, narrated by the soothing voice of Andrew Bond and produced by Slumber Studios. If sleepless nights or a busy mind are keeping you awake, this audiobook is designed to gently lull you into a peaceful and restorative sleep. Close your eyes, relax, and let Andrew Bonds’s calming narration introduce you to some of Shakespeare’s most beloved tales—retold with warmth and simplicity. Experience timeless stories of love, adventure, magic, and destiny, all while easing into deep relaxation. At Slumber Studios, we create tranquil content designed to help you unwind and drift off effortlessly. This audiobook features slow, gentle narration paired with soft background music, offering the perfect escape into dreamland. If you’re looking for a soothing way to end your day, this is the perfect choice. Simply press play, get cozy, and let Andrew's serene voice carry you through the unforgettable worlds of Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare. Wake up refreshed, with a sense of peace and inspiration for the day ahead."

Edith Nesbit, William Shakespeare (Author), Andrew Bond (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Portuguese] - Romeu e Julieta: Uma história de amor

"'Romeu e Julieta – Uma História de Amor' é um audiodrama envolvente que dá nova vida ao clássico de Shakespeare através de uma produção sonora rica e emocionante. Com trilha sonora original, efeitos que transportam o ouvinte para a Verona renascentista e interpretações intensas e sensíveis, esta versão destaca-se pela imersão e força dramática, fazendo o amor proibido de Romeu e Julieta ecoar com profundidade no universo do áudio."

William Shakespeare (Author), Ailton Rosa, Dartanhan Bertelli, Gerê Canova, Maria Clara, Nando Almeida, Paulo Feijão, Pedro Mathias, Wellington Sousa, Éder Assis (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Pageants

"Shakespeare’s history plays fall into two categories: political dramas and propagandistic pageants. The second category is comprised of the two plays in this presentation, Henry V and Henry VIII. These two plays have many elements in common. An underlying theme is the necessity and glory of government by sovereign royalty. Each play is presented by a chorus, who defines the action and intent of the drama. Rather than a continuous narrative the action is depicted in a series of tableaux, each of which seeks to illustrate a positive aspect of the monarch’s character. In each play an early part of the action involves the detection of treason and the punishment of the malefactors, presented as examples of the king’s shrewdness and rigorous sense of justice. Henry V, originally titled The Life of Henry the Fifth, tells the story of the king’s successful incursion into France to regain control of the territories claimed by the English crown, and his consolidation of his position by marrying the daughter of the King of France. Despite its references to the horror of military conflict, the mood of the play is generally bright and upbeat, although in the final speech the Chorus warns that much of this glory will be lost under the rule of Henry VI. Henry VIII, first published as The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eighth, was a joint production by Shakespeare and John Fletcher. It appears to have been written in 1612–1613. During a production of the play at the Globe Theatre in 1613, a cannon was discharged, resulting in a fire which burned the building to the ground. The action of Henry VIII focuses on three major events: The allegation of treason against the Duke of Buckingham, and his subsequent conviction and execution; Henry’s concern over the failure of his wife Katharine of Aragon to produce a male heir, his desire to divorce her and to marry the much younger Anne Bullen (Boleyn); and the birth of Anne’s child, the future Queen Elizabeth I. All references to Anne Bullen’s fall from grace and execution and to Henry’s subsequent marriages are strictly avoided. Henry is presented as a thoughtful and capable sovereign, somewhat overbearing, but genuinely troubled by the thought that his marriage to Katharine may have been canonically improper. Featuring Blaise Doran as Henry V and Josh Innerst as Henry VIII. Audio edited by Denis Daly"

William Shakespeare (Author), Alan Weyman, Blaise Doran, Christopher Dukes, David Shears, Denis Daly, Geraint Pickard, Gregory Dwyer, Josh Innerst, Laura E. Richcreek, Linda Barrans, P. J. Morgan, Shane Emmett, Tim Dehn, a full cast (Narrator)

Audiobook