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2. Married in Haste

Episode 2 of 5

William and Anne start a family - but Will already has ambitions beyond Stratford. Read by Toby Stephens.

In the summer of 1582, William Shakespeare was 18 when he met 26 year old Anne Hathaway.

Anne was her own boss. Her father had died, leaving her some money, making her free to make her own decisions. Anne offered Will a compelling dream of pleasure.

They became lovers, later marrying when she fell pregnant with their first child. Twins were to follow.

Yet Shakespeare was to turn his back on them all and made his way to London…

A reconstruction of the life, work and era of William Shakespeare.

Written by Stephen Greenblatt and abridged by Miranda Davies

Read by Toby Stephens

Excerpts read by:

Alice Hart
John Rowe

Producer: Emma Harding

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2004.

15 minutes

Last on

Wed 18 Dec 202403:30
BBC Radio 4 Extra

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1. The Players are Here

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3. A Fair Youth

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