‘Hamnet’ by Maggie Farrell - “Anyone who describes dying as ‘slipping away’ or ‘peaceful’ has never witnessed it happen. Death is violent, death is a struggle. The body clings to life, as ivy to a wall, and will not easily let go, will not surrender its grip without a fight.” Shakespeare had a son Hamnet along with 2 daughters. Not much is known about them except that he lost one child at a tender age. This book is a fictionalised account from his early years to his marriage to Agnes (maiden name of his wife, Anne Hathway) and his migration from Stratford to London. But he is not the main character; the author has left him unnamed in the book. The book centres around Agnes: Agnes the misfit, the healer, the wife but eventually Agnes the mother. The book starts promisingly. The author is extremely vivid in her descriptions whether in physical appearance, landscape, nature or emotion. Her writing is lyrical and a treat to read but because death is a central theme, there was a cloud of gloom hanging overhead throughout. First waiting for it and then dealing with it. But halfway through, it tends to drag a bit and I found it repetitive. I loved the author’s ‘The Marriage Portrait’ and the hype around this book are reasons combined which may be why my expectations were too high. I give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 . . . . . #literature #hamnet #maggieofarrell #maggieofarrellbooks #hamlet #shakespeareslife #Bookreview #photoofbooks #booksofinsta #letstalkaboutbooks #booksuggestions #bookwormsofinstagram #booktok #bookclubofinstagram #narrate_a_tale #narrate_a_talearchanamaroo #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #kindlereadingtime #kindlereads
Very, very good. Such quality descriptive writing. Visceral and emotional story of loss. #Shakespeareslife #Hamlet #MrsShakespeare
Try out Shakespeare Schoolroom’s new evening tours by lantern light! On 14 & 31 December. Jeremiah Pinchbeck, former caretaker in the 18th century has a tale or two to guide you through the ancient building. Apparently some of which may set your spine tingling! Also from January, every fortnight until the spring months. Tickets include a welcome Mulberry Gin Fizz or sparkling Elderflower, and a glass of sparkling wine and seasonal pastry at the conclusion. Alistair Goddon, Operations Manager at Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall, says, “Our after hours character tours are a new and incredibly atmospheric way to explore Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall. They’ve also very much been created as an experience to enjoy as a social occasion with friends and family, with drinks and treats included – in fact what could be a better start to your New Year’s Eve celebrations!” Doors open 6:30pm Tickets £25 per person -ideally book in advance. “To be, or not to be, that is the question.” One of Shakespeare’s most famous lines just in case! Photo by @shakespearesschoolroom #stratforduponavon #Shakespeare #shakespeareschool #shakespeareslife #warwickshire #whatsonwarwickshire #whatsonstratford #historicbuildings #warwickshireevents #december2022 #williamshakespeare #williamshakespearequote #whatsonbirmingham
Shakespeare’s England 🎭 “A few facets of the pulsating life of that full-blooded era are given in the following pages, which, it is hoped, will provide young readers with an interesting commentary on the work and life of our great national poet and dramatist.” #vintagebooks #shakespeare #england #historybooks #bookcovers #shakespeareslife #hardcovers #classic #vancouverreads
On a long flight home in a little seat, this book immersed me in the sights, sounds and aromas of Elizabethan England as bubonic plague strikes a family and carries off a boy named Hamnet. Author Maggie O’Farrell, whose daughter has a dire peanut allergy, knows the primal terror of losing a child and made me ache for Hamnet’s mother, the local healer rendered suddenly helpless as illness strikes while her husband is mounting a play. Shakespeare—never named—is cast here as a well-meaning, fiercely ambitious, loving father and faithless husband who fails his family when they need him most. Many couples don’t survive a child’s death. Will they? A profound and stirring inquiry into familial love. #hamnet #maggieofarrell #deathofachild #elizabethanengland #greatreads #marriageinfiction #maritalcrisis #shakespeareslife #shakespeare #familyincrisis #historicalfiction #besthistoricalfiction
What’s booking this weekend? . Saturday 18th June Oxford & Cambridge Canterbury & Dover Stonehenge & Bath . Sunday 19th June Oxford, Stratford & Cotswolds Stonehenge & Avebury Stonehenge & Bath Cardiff & Caerphilly Isle of Wight Day Tour . Go to https://andersontours.co.uk/tours-from-london/ to make your booking. . #stratforduponavon #shakespeareslife #shakespearestown #tudorhistory #shakespearesschoolroom #georgianarchitecture #cityofbath #romanbaths #royalcrescent #riveravon #castlesoftheworld #williamtheconqueror #normancastles #wartunnels #dovercastle #dover #whitecliffs #canterburycathedral #kent #cambridge #cambridgeuniversity #universitytown #ancientuniversity #stoneagepeople #avebury #burialtombs #ancienthistory #westkennetlongbarrow #aveburystones #standingstones
Are you a Shakespeare fan? On Sunday 15th May why not travel with us to Stratford Upon Avon and enjoy all things Shakespeare? . Pre pandemic we ran our popular tour to Oxford, Stratford and the Cotswolds for all you culture lovers out there. Now the Covid restrictions are gone we are running this tour again on Fridays and Sundays. . Stratford Upon Avon is a beautiful Tudor town and on arrival we will visit the Schoolroom of William Shakespeare where you can see what studying was like in the 1560s. Then you will have free time to explore this charming town, walk along the River Avon, visit the church where he is buried with his family, see the beautiful gardens at New Place or just browse the market and the ancient streets. . Book now at: https://andersontours.co.uk/tour/oxford-stratford-cotswolds/ . #stratforduponavon #shakespeareslife #shakespearestown #tudorhistory #shakespearesschoolroom #tudorschooling #tudorschools #literature #plays #riveravon #rsc #englishliterature #theatre #historywarwickshire
Happy Birthday to William Shakespeare! Shakespeare is one of the most famous writers of all time. He's known for his sonnets and his plays, but he is also the creator of 1,700 words in the English language. These aren't fancy words we never use, here are a few highlights: Kissing, Manager, Worthless, Fashionable, Alligator, Eyeball, Bedroom. Shakespeare's exact birthday is not known, but he was baptized on April 26, 1564, and his birthday is observed on April 23rd. April 23rd is also his death date. Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, and left the world with an incredible legacy. #shakespeare #shakespearesbirthday #shakespearesdeathday #sratforduponavon #playwright #poet #wordsmith #thebard #famousplaywright #british #english #englishlanguage #theatre #alltheworldsastage #shakespearequotes #shakespeareinthepark #shakespearesglobe #shakespeareandcompany #royalshakespearecompany #shakespearewords #shakespearesplays #shakespearean #shakespearescomedies #shakespearestragedies #shakespeareshistories #shakespearessonnets #shakespeareslife #london #londontheatre #britishtheatre
Looking forward to reading Martin Lewis's new play "In Due Season" on April 23rd at 6pm. Théâtre de Nesle 8 rue de Nesle, 75006 PARIS Réservations : 01 46 34 61 04 www.theatredenesle.com #theatre #Shakespeare #shakespeareslife #womenbehindthethrone #newplays #shakespeareinparis
#OnThisDay in 1585 Shakespeare's twins, Hamnet and Judith, were baptised. The baptism is recorded in the Holy Trinity Church parish register: 'February 2 Hamnet and Judeth sonne & daughter to Williã Shakspere' Hamnet died when he was only 11 years old. Maggie O'Farrell's award-winning novel, Hamnet, is inspired by the story of his short life, a compelling, tender reimagining of William and Anne Shakespeare's young family, and a moving portrayal of their grief for their only son. Buy Hamnet in paperback. Available in the bookshop or online. (Link in bio) Image: Holy Trinity Parish Register 1558 – 1652 @shakespearebtrust @headlinebooks @duchessofcornwallsreadingroom #OTD #OnThisDayInHistory #Hamnet #MaggieOFarrell #HistoricalFiction #HolyTrinityChurchStratford #HolyTrinityChurch #StratfordUponAvon #BaptismRecord #BaptismRecords #ParishRegister #Shakespeare #ShakespearesLife #ShakespeareShop #ShakespeareBookshop
I am enjoying this book. It’s an easy read and, although we don’t know much about Shakespeare himself, I have learned all sorts of interesting snippets about Elizabethan life. Did you know that people loved sugar so much that they used to add it to everything including beer? This made their teeth go black. People who didn’t have such ready access to copious amounts of sugar would blacken their own teeth to make themselves look cooler!
Shakespeare’s on his second plane of the day (@americanair flight 1306)! Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, here I come! ‘Tis step 3 of 4 on my way home for a week to be with @milofluffykitten & OffScreen Wife! @renfestla, I’ll see you on the weekend! . . . #FlyTheShakespeareSkies #Shakespeare #ShakespeareApproves #ShakespeareOfInstagram #RenFest #RenFaire #Traveling #performerslife #ShakespearesLife
Shakespeare is forever coming home! This is home for the next six weekends at the @renfestla: the Queen’s Stage, where your friendly, neighbourhood Shakespeare is performing four times daily: 10:15, 2:15, 3:45 (“Macbeth: Death by Fluffy Kittens!” every day at 3:45!), and 5:15. The Louisiana Renaissance Festival is the last leg of my Straight Outta Quarantine Tour, and just like every other part of it, it’s so very good to be home! . . . #TheresNoPlaceLikeHome #ForeverComingHome #RenFest #RenFaire #LARF #GSTQ #Louisiana #StraightOuttaQuarantine #StraightOuttaQuarantineTour #Shakespeare #ShakespeareApproves #ShakespeareOfInstagram #Macbeth #DeathByFluffyKittens #MacbethDeathByFluffyKittens #CajunInjector #Traveling #ActorsLife #PerformersLife #ShakespearesLife
I’ve been reading Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell and happily loving it as much as I expected. But I’ve paused in my reading to duck into Shakespeare’s Wife by Germaine Greer and it’s giving me more appreciation for the brilliance of Hamnet; O’Farrell’s research and exquisite writing is quite mind blowing! Have you stopped reading fiction to get a dose of related non-fiction so you can better enjoy your fiction? Sorry, that was a bit long winded! But anyways, here’s the blurb for Shakespeare’s Wife: Little is known of the wife of England's greatest playwright. In play after play Shakespeare presents the finding of a worthy wife as a triumphant denouement, yet scholars persist in believing that his own wife was resented and even hated by him. Here Germaine Greer strives to re-embed the story of their marriage in its social context and presents new hypotheses about the life of the farmer's daughter who married our greatest poet. This is a daring, insightful book that asks new questions, opens new fields of investigation and research, and rights the wrongs done to Ann Shakespeare.
✨If I mention the name Shakespeare, what are some of your he first things that come to mind? For me, they’re: intimidation, fear, and disinterest. ✨ Having got that out of the way, let me start this review by saying I know NOTHING about Shakespeare…NOTHING…and it didn’t matter one bit. So, if like me, that’s one of your reasons for avoiding this book, don’t let it deter you a second more! I easily would have missed out on this beautiful book if I had remained hung up on the Shakespeare connection. Because of that teeny, tiny connection, I thought this book wasn’t for me…and I was sadly mistaken. Thank you to the many people who featured, reviewed, and named this one of their favorite books of 2020 – for all of those reasons, I decided to give this book a chance and I’M SO GLAD I DID! The writing is gorgeous from the first page and I quickly found myself fully immersed in this story. It’s really more about Shakespeare’s wife, Agnes, and their three kids. (In fact, Shakespeare isn’t mentioned even once – despite the fact that, I, myself, have mentioned him about a million times already in this review! 🤷🏼♀️) I was struck by Agnes’ strength and character; she felt so life-like and heroic that I became an adoring fan of her quickly. If you love strong female protagonists, add this to your list because you’ll end up loving it just as much as I did. There are strong themes of loss, grief, and resilience. All of these build up to a bombastic conclusion that reiterates the idea that grief strikes us all differently and that how we chose to handle that grief isn’t necessarily wrong. I loved how O’Farrell ended this novel…and it truly made me love Agnes even more. She has become one of my favorite literary characters after reading this one! If you’ve read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts!! . . . #happiestwhenreading #hamnet #maggieofarrell #tinderpress #bookreview #historicalfiction #shakespeare #shakespeareswife #shakespeareslife #booksof2020 #bibliophile #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation #bookreviewsneedlovetoo #bookreviewsofinstagram
Answer to Tuesday Trivia! How often did the actors at the Globe Theatre perform? Answer: All the time! Acting was and still is.. a profession. It’s done full time, as a living and you earn money for it. It’s an art form trained at and started young. Many men joined a theatre company when they were boys, as an apprentice. Only boys and men were allowed to act, until 1660. In other European countries, women were allowed to act. Actors were expected to sing and dance, learn lines, and fight with swords. Companies originally travelled the country performing in private homes, towns and cities. When Shakespeare died, London had many permanent theatres. Actors made more money because it drew larger audiences. Each company varied depending on income. The best had 8-12 senior members called sharers, 3-4 boys, hired players called hired men, stage hands (tiremen, who helped dress the actors, etc), and some musicians. Actors were never give the entire play but “sides”: their part and 3-4 cue lines before they spoke. This required incredible ability to listen and to get your lines right! With a living playwright, you don’t mess up lines anyway. They rarely performed the same play two days in a row so they rotated a few plays at once. Actors performed in every play and also performed a few roles in each play. They had short rehearsals in the mornings and performed in the afternoon because they needed the light. Plays lasted over 3 hours. Can you imagine doing multiple plays at once, multiple roles, only learning your part and one cue line and learning singing and dancing and stage combat? That’s what professional actors do and what most Shakespeare companies do. The Globe Theatre tours the country with three plays in rotation and the same actors. “Summer stock” in America are theatres that perform a few plays every summer with the same company. #answer #triviaanswer #triviaanswers #shakespeareslife #theglobe #theglobetheatre #londonengland #actors #actorlife #theactingprofession #actingprofession #actingprofessionally #performing #actorsperforming #performancelife #livetheatre #shakespearetime #theatrecompanies #touringtheatre #realactors #realactorslife #trainedactors
Time for Tuesday Trivia! “What sort of people attended Shakespeare’s plays?”. This is the perfect question to ask after we just closed A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Who do you think attended his plays? Answer below 👇🏻 . . . #Trivia #tuesdaytrivia #terrifictuesdaytrivia #barrykraft #afterdinnershakespeare #question #questions #shakespeareslife #shakespeare #plays #playwright #audience #audiences #class #status #society #globetheatre #theglobe #blackfriarstheatre #london #afterdinnershakespeare #barrykraft #parlorcards
Answer to Tuesday Trivia! Why were Shakespeare’s plays divided into five acts? That’s the way it was done at the time and there were no intermissions. #answer #answers #shakespeare #plays #shakespeareplays #shakespeareslife #fiveacts #actv #folio #folioplays #firstfolio #printinghouses #actsandscenes #playwright
Time for Tuesday Trivia!! Shakespeare wrote his plays primarily in blank verse. Why? Please answer below for a chance to win a ticket to our free show 👇🏻 . . . #question #tuesdaytrivia #trivia #terrifictuesdaytrivia #barrykraft #afterdinnershakespeare #shakespeare #williamshakespeare #playwright #author #poet #plays #blankverse #verse #prose #iambicpentameter #dadumdadumdadumdadumdadum #shakespeareslife #questionsaboutshakespeare #barrykraft #afterdinnershakespeare
Tuesday Trivia! What is the longest word Shakespeare ever penned? Leave your answers below. 👇🏻 . . . #trivia #tuesdaytrivia #terrifictuesdaytrivia #barrykraft #afterdinnershakespeare #shakespeare #williamshakespeare #shakespeareslife #author #playwright #longestword #writer #word #words
Tuesday Trivia!! Did Shakespeare direct his own plays? Please leave your answers below for a free ticket to our free show! 👇🏻 . . . #tuesdaytrivia #trivia #terrifictuesdaytrivia #barrykraft #afterdinnershakespeare #shakespeare #williamshakespeare #shakespeareslife #questions #questionsaboutshakespeare #playwright #director #plays #shakespearetime #shakespearestime #oldentimes #theatreinengland
Did you guess The Tempest? Well, you’re somewhat right... let’s stick with The Tempest as his last solo act, shall we? It’s a favourite of many and has some of the most beautiful lines than any other play.. spoken by Ariel, Caliban, and Prospero. “I’ll break my staff.. I’ll drown my book”, a wonderful exit play indeed. #shakespeare #williamshakespeare #shakespeareslife #trivia #tuesdaytrivia #tuesdaytriviaanswer #answers #shakespeareaddict #shakespearelover #thetempest #greatestplaywright
Tuesday Trivia! What was the last play Shakespeare wrote?? Your guess might be right! List your answers below 👇🏻 Which play suggests the most closure??? . . . #tuesdaytrivia #trivia #terrifictuesdaytrivia #barrykraft #afterdinnershakespeare #questions #shakespeare #williamshakespeare #playwright #plays #theplaysthething #thelastplay #shakespeareslife
Answer to the trivia question!! We don’t know. Sorry to let you down. #trivia #triviaanswer #shakespeare #shakespear #williamshakespeare #playwright #author #greatestplaywrightofalltime #answer #shakespeareslife #shakespearesfirstplay #theplaysthething #henryvi #thetwogentlemenofverona #loveslabourslost #loveslaborslost #shakespeareplays
The trivia question for the week! What was the first play Shakespeare wrote? Answer below!! 👇🏻 . . . #terrifictuesdaytrivia #barrykraft #afterdinnershakespeare #shakespeare #williamshakespeare #shakespear #trivia #triviaquestion #shakespeareslife #playwright #questionsaboutshakespeare #shakespearetrivia #question #plays #firstplay #thefirstplay #theplaysthething
Answer to Tuesday’s Trivia! “What was Shakespeare’s first printed work?” -Venus and Adonis! Printed in 1593. One of two long narrative poems. #tuesdaytriviaanswer #tuesdaytriviaanswers #williamshakespeare #shakespeare #shakespearequestions #questionsaboutshakespeare #shakespeareslife #playwright #printedwork #firstprintedwork #venusandadonis #triviaanswer #answer #author #shakespearelover #shakespeareaddict #shakespear
Terrific Tuesday Trivia!! “What was Shakespeare’s first printed work?” Answer below! 👇🏻 . . . #terrifictuesdaytrivia #barrykraft #afterdinnershakespeare #print #printedwork #firstprintedwork #playwright #writer #greatestplaywright #greatestplaywrightofalltime #inprint #famous #published #shakespeare #williamshakespeare #trivia #tuesdaytrivia #questions #shakespearequestions #shakespeareslife #shakespeareslife #shakespeareaddict #shakespearelover
Answer to Tuesday’s Trivia! “Was Shakespeare the greatest playwright of his age?” #shakespeare #williamshakespeare #shakespearelover #shakespeareaddict #shakespear #shakespearean #shakespearelove #barrykraft #trivia #tuesdaytrivia #triviaanswer #tuesdaytriviaanswer #shakespearequestions #shakespeareslife #answers #greatestplaywright #greatestplaywrightever #author #theplaysthething #benjonson #christophermarlowe #marlowe #whatawaytogo #barbrawl #knifetotheskull
It’s Animation Day! So here’s a lovely little kids’ film, narrated by me and produced by the talented team at Slurpy Studios in the UK. This animation is split into three 1 minute Parts. (Part 2 and 3 are hiding behind Part 1). Just swipe to see the next part. The film is about the life and times of William Shakespeare. It was one of a series of 7, commissioned by the British Council to mark 400 years of Shakespeare. The other 6 films were different Shakespeare plays, adapted and simplified for children. I played all the female roles - from evil Lady Macbeth to Titania Queen of the Fairies - and narrated half of the animations too. This animation was nominated for a 2016 Voice Arts Award for “Outstanding Storytelling” and I’m very proud to have worked on the whole series. . . . . #animationday #animation #shakespeare #shakespeareslife #williamshakespeare #shakespearelives #britishcouncil #slurpystudios #narrator #storyteller #narration #storytelling #history #educational #VO #voiceover #voiceactor #voicetalent #britishvo #katieflamman #voice #ownstudio #awardwinning #voiceartsawards #award #nomination #careerhighlight #actor #actorslife #lovemyjob
Shakespares Globe Tour & Exhibition📜 . Openair playhouse 🃏 . Exploring London 🇬🇧 . #shakespearesglobe #london #shakespeare #literature #poetry #englishliterauteclass #instatraveling #travelgrams #art #theglobe #viewfromtheglobe #areexperiences #theatre #shakespearesplays #goingbackintime #openairplayhouse #playhouse #plays #drama #storytelling #southwark #londonborough #southbank #riverthames #elizabethan #exhibition #shakespeareslife #williamshakespare #thisislondon
Shakespares Globe Tour & Exhibition📜 Openair playhouse 🃏 Reminiscing on the English Literature days in Kharwastan Secondary, reading Othello, Macbeth, Twelfth Night & many others with my classmates...Fun and Laughter...Great times ☺️🤗 #shakespearesglobe #london #shakespeare #literature #poetry #englishliterauteclass #instatraveling #travelgrams #art #theglobe #viewfromtheglobe #areexperiences #theatre #shakespearesplays #goingbackintime #openairplayhouse #playhouse #plays #drama #storytelling #southwark #londonborough #southbank #riverthames #elizabethan #exhibition #shakespeareslife #williamshakespare #thisislondon