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Coriolanus by William Shakespeare. Shakespeare was passionately interested in the history of Rome, as is evident from plays like Titus Andronicus, Julius Caesar, and Antony and Cleopatra. His tragedy Coriolanus was probably written around 1605-07, and dramatizes the rise and fall of a great Roman general, Caius Martius (later surnamed Coriolanus because of his military victory at Corioli). This play is unusual in that it provides a strong voice for the ordinary citizens of Rome, who begin the play rioting about the high price of food, and who continually clash with Coriolanus because of his contempt for plebians. Featured on Othello. Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org). This episode includes AI-generated content.

All's Well That Ends Well (version 2) by William Shakespeare. A fairy tale with real life consequences, All's Well That Ends Well concerns a poor physician's daughter who goes to Paris to heal the King and asks of him a husband; not himself, but the Count Rousillon, in whose house her good father had lived. He weds her but does not bed her, flees to the wars where he is followed by his wife in a pilgrimage of which he is the object. How she uses his lust for a virtuous young woman to trick him into bedding her and giving her a child is but the real life drama to which, or so it would appear, a good woman is forced to commit herself to get herself a husband. When this blows up in the King's face he probably wishes he. or various of these young deceivers, he's not sure which, were dead. And they al live Happily Ever After. In memory of my friends Henk and Rinie, for whom I read this piece. All's Well That Ends Well. In love and peace. Featured on Othello. Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org). This episode includes AI-generated content.

Curse of Capistrano (Dramatic Reading) by Johnston McCulley. The Curse of Capistrano is the first work to feature the fictional character Zorro (the Spanish word for "fox"). The story was later republished under the name The Mark of Zorro. The outlaw Zorro is Public Enemy #1 in southern California during the period of Mexican rule. But he's not a bad guy, really - he fights for justice for the oppressed. And when he meets the lovely Lolita, daughter of Don Pedro, who is on the governor's bad side, he has even more reason to fight. But she's being wooed by the rich and influential but wimpy Don Diego... Featured on Othello. Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org). This episode includes AI-generated content.

Romeo and Juliet (version 2) by William Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet is Shakespeare's famous tragedy of two "star-crossed lovers" from rival houses. Romeo and Juliet meet at a party and fall instantly in love, realizing too late that their families, the Montagues and the Capulets, are mortal enemies. Braving parental opposition, the teenage lovers marry in secret, with the aid of the well-intentioned Friar Lawrence. Yet, as Shakespeare has often observed, the course of true love does not run smoothly, and Romeo and Juliet must risk death to be together. Featured on Othello. Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org). This episode includes AI-generated content.

Winter's Tale (version 2) by William Shakespeare. The Winter's Tale —one of Shakespeare's final plays—tells the story of two neighboring kings, Leontes of Sicilia and Polixenes of Bohemia. Friends since childhood, their relationship is put under a grave test when a maddened and jealous Leontes publicly accuses his beautiful wife, Hermione, of infidelity. Turbulent chaos engulfs Sicilia as Leontes' miscalculations devastate his family line, but in an unusual move, Shakespeare quickly turns the needle toward redemption with the growls of a bear and the passage of sixteen years, as announced by a personified Time. Whereas the first half of the play portrays the tragic downfall of a man who lets his emotions severely cloud his reasoning, the second half is one of pastoral revelry and natural reverence, set in the lush Bohemian countryside and marked by the purity of amorous youthfulness. Featured on Othello. Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org). This episode includes AI-generated content.

Permanent Husband by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. THE PERMANENT HUSBAND, also published as The Eternal Husband, is a psychological novella by the acclaimed Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky. The plot revolves around the intense and complex relationship between Velchaninov and Trusotsky. Velchaninov, the protagonist, is a former lover of the recently deceased wife of Trusotsky, the title character. Some critics have ranked this novella among Dostoeyevsky’s best works because of its style and structure. Featured on Othello. Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org). This episode includes AI-generated content.

Oedipus by Lucius Annaeus Seneca. Oedipus is a Latin verse tragedy written by the Roman playwright Seneca the Younger. It is based on the Greek legend of Oedipus and his marriage to his mother Jocasta. An oracle once came to Laius, king of Thebes, that he should perish by his own son's hands. When, therefore, a son was born to him, he gave the infant to his chief of shepherds to expose on Mount Cithaeron. But the tender-hearted rustic gave the babe instead to a wandering herdsman of Polybus, the king of Corinth. Years later, a reputed son of Polybus, Oedipus by name, fearing an oracle which doomed him to slay his father and wed his mother, fled from Corinth, that so he might escape this dreadful fate. As he fared northward, he met and slew an old man who imperiously disputed the narrow way with him. Featured on Othello. Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org). This episode includes AI-generated content.

Tales from Ariosto by Ludovico Ariosto, Joseph Shield Nicholson. Featured on Othello. This episode includes AI-generated content.

On Adulterous Marriages by Saint Augustine of Hippo. This episode includes AI-generated content.

Perjur'd Husband, or The Adventures of Venice by Susanna Centlivre. This episode includes AI-generated content.

Othello is a tragedy about the downfall of the titular hero, Othello, a Moorish general in the service of Venice. His cunning ensign, Iago, plots to goad his jealousy and thus manipulate his relationship with his wife, Desdemona, a noble and virtuous Venetian beauty whom he just married. (Summary by Junrui Zheng) This episode includes AI-generated content.

"Oedipus at Colonus," a poignant work by Sophocles, explores themes of fate, redemption, and the search for peace in the twilight of life. As Oedipus, once a proud king, confronts the consequences of his past, he seeks solace in a sacred grove, grappling with his identity and mortality. This timeless tragedy delves into the complexities of human suffering and the quest for forgiveness, making it a profound reflection on the human condition. Its exploration of loss and the struggle for dignity resonates powerfully in today's world, reminding us of the enduring nature of hope and the pursuit of inner peace amidst turmoil. This episode includes AI-generated content.

Cymbeline, a lesser-known play by William Shakespeare, weaves a tale of love, betrayal, and reconciliation set against a backdrop of political intrigue and familial strife. This timeless narrative explores themes of fidelity, honor, and the complexities of human relationships, making it a poignant reflection on the nature of trust and the trials of life. As characters navigate deception and the quest for truth, the story resonates with contemporary audiences who grapple with similar issues in their own lives. Hearing this play now invites listeners to reflect on the enduring human experiences that Shakespeare masterfully portrays, reminding us of the universal struggles that unite us across time. This episode includes AI-generated content.

Othello, a timeless tragedy by William Shakespeare, delves into themes of jealousy, betrayal, and the complexities of love. The story follows Othello, a noble Moor and military leader, whose life unravels due to the manipulations of those around him, leading to devastating consequences. This powerful exploration of human emotions and relationships remains relevant today, as it prompts listeners to reflect on the destructive nature of mistrust and the fragility of honor. Shakespeare's masterful language and profound insights into the human condition ensure that Othello continues to resonate with audiences, inviting them to engage with its enduring moral dilemmas. This episode includes AI-generated content.

"Rosmersholm" by Henrik Ibsen delves into the complexities of love, guilt, and the struggle for personal freedom against societal expectations. Set in a post-revolutionary context, the play explores the tension between individual desires and moral obligations, making it a timeless reflection on the human condition. Ibsen's characters grapple with their pasts and the weight of their choices, inviting listeners to contemplate the enduring themes of redemption and the pursuit of truth. The emotional depth and psychological intricacies of "Rosmersholm" resonate powerfully today, reminding us of the challenges we face in reconciling our inner lives with the world around us. This episode includes AI-generated content.