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'Venus and Adonis' and 'The Rape of Lucrece' cover art

'Venus and Adonis' and 'The Rape of Lucrece'

By: William Shakespeare
Narrated by: David Burke, Eve Best, Clare Corbett, Benjamin Soames, Oliver Le Sueuer
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Editor reviews

Featuring acclaimed cast-members with transatlantic credentials, these two narrative poems demonstrate Shakespeare’s mastery of the tragic and comedic. Venus and Adonis follows the goddess of love as she attempts to seduce Adonis, more interested in hunting than Venus’ advances. Featuring racy double-entendres, the poem is famous for its sexually suggestive witticisms. The Rape of Lucrece follows the sexual mistreatment of Lucrece - wife of a retainer to the Roman emperor - at the hands of Sextus Tarquinius, the emperor’s son. These poems portray two very different heroines, one forceful and confident, the other a victim of tragic violence. Actress Clare Corbett (MI-5, Doctor Who) shines as the nymphish Venus, while Eve Best (The Kings Speech, Nurse Jackie) is honest and uncompromising as the ill-fated Lucrece.

Summary

These two great poems date from Shakespeare’s early years and are full of passion and invention. In Venus and Adonis, the goddess of love pleads with the beautiful boy to submit to her advances and become her love - but he only wants to hunt boar. In the more serious Rape of Lucrece, Shakespeare draws on the Roman tale of the Emperor Tarquin’s desire for Lucrece and its tragic consequencies. These poems give prominent parts to the two heroines, and Clare Corbett and Eve Best shine.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.
Public Domain (P)2006 Naxos AudioBooks
Poetry European
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What listeners say about 'Venus and Adonis' and 'The Rape of Lucrece'

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Profile Image for Amanda Frost

Great

Very easy to follow, the different actors playing each of the characters made this come alive much more than just reading these long poems on the page.

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