The Hamlet Podcast

Right in time for Shakespeare's birthday, April 23, this is a new series of short episodes introducing the basic elements of how Shakespeare wrote. We start at the very beginning - with a discussion of iambic pentameter and/or blank verse. Geek out with me!

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act IV, Scene iv - Hamlet reaches a point of resolution as he finishes his final soliloquy. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act IV, Scene iv - Hamlet's final soliloquy begins with some important questions. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act IV, Scene iv - Hamlet and the Norwegian Captain discuss Fortinbras' campaign against Poland. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act IV, Scene iv - Fortinbras enters with his army, as they pass through Denmark. Hamlet encounters one of his captains, and asks where they are going. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act IV, Scene iii - Claudius announces the real reason he's eager to get Hamlet on the boat for England. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act IV, Scene iii - Hamlet finally tells Claudius where to find Polonius' body. Claudius then tells Hamlet that he must leave for England. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act IV, Scene iii - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern bring Hamlet to Claudius, who himself attempts to get answers about Polonius' body. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act IV, Scene ii - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern find Hamlet and attempt to locate Polonius' body. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act IV, Scene i - Claudius discusses his plans for Hamlet. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act IV, Scene i - Claudius wonders where Hamlet is and what he might be doing. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act III, Scene iv - Hamlet bids his mother goodnight. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act III, Scene iv - Hamlet encourages Gertrude not to share his secrets with Claudius. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act III, Scene iv - Hamlet now tries to convince Gertrude not to spend the night with Claudius, and that she can break her habits. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act III, Scene iv - Hamlet tries to convince Gertrude that her distress is caused primarily by what she's done herself, not what he's been doing and saying to her. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act III, Scene iv - Hamlet worries that the Ghost will weaken his resolve, and Gertrude worries that Hamlet's madness is causing him to see things. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty.

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act III, Scene iv - Just as Hamlet pushes Gertrude to breaking point, his father's Ghost reappears. But is Hamlet the only one who can see him? Written and presented by Conor Hanratty.

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act III, Scene iv - Hamlet pushes his mother to breaking point with his aggressive lecture. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty.

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act III, Scene iv - Hamlet continues his comparison between his father and Gertrude, and questions how she could have made her choice. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty.

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act III, Scene iv - Hamlet turns his attention back to Gertrude, explaining in great detail the consequences of her actions. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty.

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act III, Scene iv - Hamlet hears that there's someone else in the room, and attacks. (I have re-uploaded this episode because the first version had a very long gap at the beginning. In all else it is identical!) Written and presented by Conor Hanratty.

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act III, Scene iv - Hamlet hears that there's someone else in the room, and attacks. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty.

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act III, Scene iv - Hamlet finds his mother in her chamber, as Polonius listens in. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty.

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act III, Scene iii - Hamlet wonders if now might be a good time to murder Claudius, as he finds him at prayer. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty.

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Act III, Scene iii - Claudius wrestles with his conscience - can he pray for forgiveness but keep everything he achieved through murder? Written and presented by Conor Hanratty.