The Dark Lady of the Sonnets
Enriched edition. Unraveling Shakespeare's Mysteries Through Witty DramaBy Bernard Shaw
Length2h 57m
About this audiobook
In "The Dark Lady of the Sonnets," George Bernard Shaw ingeniously intertwines political satire with the exploration of creative genius through the lens of Shakespeare. Written in his characteristic witticism and rich dialogue, Shaw channels his fascination with the Bard into a playful yet profound meditation on art, identity, and gender dynamics. The play navigates the complex interplay between the playwright and his muses, particularly focusing on the enigmatic figure of the Dark Lady, while examining the societal constraints that shape both artist and art, all set within the vibrant literary context of the early 20th century. George Bernard Shaw, a towering figure in the world of drama and a key proponent of the socialist movement, was deeply influenced by the cultural shifts of his time. His critique of social norms and his engagement with issues of sexuality and feminism resonate throughout his works. Shaw's own literary journey, which included his fascination with the Elizabethan era, informed the creation of this play, reflecting his belief that the struggles of the past are mirrored in the socio-political landscapes of his present. This captivating play is essential for readers who appreciate a blend of humor and intellectual depth. Shaw's exploration of the artist's plight and the deconstruction of historical narratives makes "The Dark Lady of the Sonnets" a thought-provoking read, recommended for anyone seeking to understand the convergence of art, history, and societal critique in an engaging theatrical format.
In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★ 3.4 (170)
Includes Goodreads
GenreLiterary Classics
Length2 hrs 57 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 19, 2019
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
7How the Play came to be Written
2Introduction
8Shakespear's alleged Sycophancy and Perversion
3Synopsis
9Analysis
4Historical Context
10Reflection
5Author Biography
11Memorable Quotes
Show all chaptersShow less
6The Dark Lady of the Sonnets
More from Bernard Shaw
The Inca of Perusalem: An Almost Historical ComediettaBernard Shaw58m3.3 (41)$2 · $0.00
Man kann nie wissen: Komödie in vier AktenBernard Shaw3h 47m3.5 (439)$2 · $0.00
The Doctor's DilemmaBernard Shaw3h 29m3.6 (1.2K)$2 · $0.00
Der AmateursozialistBernard Shaw9h 13m3.4 (1.5K)$2 · $0.00
CandidaBernard Shaw2h 58m3.8 (3.7K)$2 · $0.00
The Shewing-up of Blanco PosnetBernard Shaw3h 59m3.5 (308)$2 · $0.00
Arms and the ManBernard Shaw2h 21m4.1 (40.7K)$2 · $0.00
MisallianceBernard Shaw3h 11m4.0 (434)$2 · $0.00
The Man of DestinyBernard Shaw3h 5m3.6 (361)$2 · $0.00
Revolutionist's Handbook and Pocket CompanionBernard Shaw1h 24m3.5 (31)$2 · $0.00
Candida: Ein Mysterium in drei AktenBernard Shaw3h3.7 (5.1K)$2 · $0.00
Press CuttingsBernard Shaw1h 26m3.3 (18)$2 · $0.00
Heartbreak HouseBernard Shaw3h 8m3.9 (7.4K)$2 · $0.00
Pen Portraits and ReviewsBernard Shaw12h 16m$2 · $0.00
Physician's Anthology: 20 Timeless Storybooks from the Physician's DeskBernard Shaw, Arthur Cheney Train, L. T. Meade, Clifford Halifax, R. Austin Freeman, Sir Wilfred Thomason Grenfell, Dillon Wallace, Eva Shaw McLaren, Mary Monica Maxwell-Scott, John Cordy Jeaffreson, Marie E. Zakrzewska, Gertrude Hill Lewes, Melvin L. Severy, Elizabeth Blackwell, William Macmichael, James Bayard Clark, Harold Barclay, Winston K. Marks, Ellen M. Firebaugh, Amelia Young126h 9m$1.99 · $0.00
To Kill a MockingbirdHarper Lee12h 18m4.5 (7.4M)$29 · $0.00
These Precious DaysAnn Patchett11h 14m4.5 (45.2K)$29 · $0.00
The Jeeves and Wooster Stories: The Complete Collection (33 Books)P. G. Wodehouse21h 57m4.7 (2.8K)$15 · $0.00
The Gulag Archipelago Volume 3Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn21h 56m4.7 (8.9K)$46 · $0.00
This Side of Paradise - The Original 1920 Edition (Annotated)F. Scott Fitzgerald11h 30m4.6 (1.6K)$2 · $0.00
The Great Gatsby: Original 1925 Edition (An F. Scott Fitzgerald Classic NovelFrancis Scott Fitzgerald4h 45m4.6 (9.3K)$18 · $0.00
The Complete Histories / History Plays of William Shakespeare (Annotated)William Shakespeare29h 42m4.6 (2.3K)$1.99 · $0.00
Braving the TruthRachel Held Evans11h 31m4.7 (359)$29 · $0.00
The Old Man and the Sea (Annotated)Ernest Hemingway4h 27m4.6 (1.4K)$2 · $0.00
Twelfth Night (The Unabridged Play) + The Classic Biography (Annotated)William Shakespeare, Sidney Lee16h 38m4.6 (1.4K)$2 · $0.00
Henry V (The Play, Historical Background and Analysis of the Character in the Play)William Shakespeare, William Hazlitt8h 40m4.6 (1.3K)$1 · $0.00
H. P. LOVECRAFT Ultimate Collection: Novellas, Short Stories, Poetry & Essays (Annotated)H. P. Lovecraft12h 28m4.6 (2.3K)$2 · $0.00
Time RegainedMarcel Proust15h 54m4.5 (10.6K)$2 · $0.00
TORAH - Bilingual Edition: English/Hebrew (Annotated)Max Margolis, JPS28h 26m4.6 (1K)$2 · $0.00
Betty Crocker picture cooky bookBetty Crocker, Inc. General Mills2h 13m4.5 (6.5K)$1 · $0.00
The Complete Tales of Beatrix PotterBeatrix Potter3h 36m4.5 (75K)$3 · $0.00
Crime and Punishment (The Unabridged Garnett Translation) (Annotated)Fyodor Dostoevsky24h 25m4.5 (15.4K)$1.99 · $0.00
The North American IndianEdward S. Curtis, Frederick Webb Hodge6h4.5 (1.2K)$2 · $0.00
The Picture of Dorian Gray: The Uncensored 13 Chapter Version + The Revised 20 Chapter Version (Annotated)Oscar Wilde16h 12m4.5 (2.8K)$1.99 · $0.00
Grimoire Of The Everyday WitchIsadora Lys / Virginia Santos5h 35m4.5 (3.9K)$9 · $0.00
You may also like
The American ClaimantMark Twain7h 16m3.5 (3.7K)$21 · $0.00
The Complete Plays of Gilbert and SullivanArthur Sullivan, W. S. Gilbert17h 36m4.5 (300)$1 · $0.00
The Rose and the RingWilliam Makepeace Thackeray3h 14m3.8 (2K)$2 · $0.00
The Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland (1753) Volume ITheophilus Cibber8h 54m$2 · $0.00
Pamphlets and Parodies on Political SubjectsWilliam Hone5h$1 · $0.00
My Discovery of EnglandStephen Leacock3h 45m$1 · $0.00
The Comic History of EnglandGilbert Abbott À Beckett27h 11m3.6 (38)$2 · $0.00
Social England under the Regency (Annotated)John Ashton15h 17m4.4 (11)$2 · $0.00
The Cynic's Word BookAmbrose Bierce3h 49m$2.30
The Paris Sketch Book of Mr. M. A. Titmarsh; and the Irish Sketch BookWilliam Makepeace Thackeray19h 17m3.4 (34)$2 · $0.00
The Eighteenth Century in English CaricatureSelwyn Brinton1h 56m$1 · $0.00
The Poetical Works of John Skelton (Vol. 1&2)John Skelton43h 29m$2 · $0.00
Press CuttingsBernard Shaw1h 26m3.3 (18)$2 · $0.00
The Modern AthensRobert Mudie7h 55m$2 · $0.00
Hieroglyphic TalesHorace Walpole2h 27m3.3 (303)$2 · $0.00
The Sir Roger de Coverley PapersJoseph Addison, Eustace Budgell, Richard Sir Steele5h 57m3.8 (248)$2 · $0.00
The Original Stephen LeacockStephen Butler Leacock7h 6m$2 · $0.00
The Tatler (Vol. 1-4) (Annotated)Joseph Addison, Richard Steele56h 50m$2 · $0.00
Voltaire: Collected Romances: 20+ Novels, Short Stories, Satires & Fables (Illustrated Edition) (Annotated)Voltaire31h 46m4.3 (23)$1.99 · $0.00
The Right to Be Lazy, and Other Studies (Annotated)Paul Lafargue4h 27m4.5 (12)$1.99 · $0.00