William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. The poet, playwright and actor is the bestselling author of all time. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon around 1564, he was a successful playwright and actor in London by the end of the 16th century.
Also known as the Bard of Avon, Shakespeare wrote about the Kings and Queens of England. His 37 plays covered four main genres; comedy, tragedy, history and romance. Some famous comedies include The Merchant of Venice and Much Ado About Nothing. His historical plays dramatized past events, notably the War of the Roses in Richard III and the three parts of Henry VI. Later, he moved more towards tragedy, with Macbeth, King Lear, Othello and Hamlet.
Shakespeare’s work has had a profound influence on English literature and on the English language. The interesting characters that he created have stood the test of time, and more than 400 years on, his plays still captivate audiences around the world.
We’ve selected 25 free Shakespeare plays in audiobook format which you can listen to online or download. Remember you can also find thousands of more free audiobooks on our site.
