Ages of Man

By: William Shakespeare

Narrated by: Sir John Gielgud

Here are some of Shakespeare's finest speeches performed by one of the greatest Shakespearean actors of this century. It ranges from the youth of Jaques' introduction to life, 'All the world's a stage!' in ""As You Like It"" to the aged Prospero's goodbye to Ariel and Shakespeare's own farewell to his muse in ""The Tempest"": 'Now my charms are all o'erthrown!' Sir John's masterful reading brings delight to the ear and joy to the heart.

An Absolute Classic!

I am thrilled to see that this classic recording has been issued as an audio download! Originally devised as a one-man recital for the theatre, AGES OF MAN is a marvelous selection of Shakespearean speeches sublimely performed by Sir John Gielgud. It provides an excellent introduction to Shakespeare, and has been an inspiration to actors, scholars, and fans of the poet's work for decades.

What is missing and is useful

Chapter 1
Part 1: Youth. Childhood - Magic and Faery - Nature - Love - Jealousy - Lust (22:59)
1. As You Like It - Act II, Scene 7 @0:02
2. Sonnet 2, Sonnet 12 @1:48
3. A Midsummer Night's Dream - Act II, Scene 1 @4:00
4. The Tempest - Act III, Scene 2 @6:18
5. Romeo And Juliet - Act I, Scene 4 @7:11
6. The Merchant Of Venice - Act V, Scene 1 @9:30
7. Much Ado About Nothing - Act II, Scene 3 @11:10
8. Sonnet 18, Sonnet 116, Sonnet 130 @13:03
9. Romeo And Juliet - Act I, Scene 5. Act II, Scene 1. Act II, Scene 2 @16:05
10. Winter's Tale - Act II, Scene 2 @19:02
11. Sonnet 129 @20:53
12. Measure For Measure - Act II, Scene 2 @21:55
Part 2: Manhood. War - Civil Strife - Kingship - Government and Society - Passion and Character (22:11)
13. Henry The Fifth – Prologue @24:00
14. Henry The Fourth (Part 1) - Act I, Scene 3 @25:53
15. Henry The Sixth (Part 3) - Act II, Scene 5 @28:09
16. Richard The Second - Act III, Scene 3. Act IV, Scene 1 @30:40
17. Julius Caesar - Act I, Scene 2 @40:41
18. Hamlet - Act II, Scene 2 @43:00
Chapter 2
Part 3: Age. Death - Sickness - Man Against Himself - Old Time - Time (Side C: 14:46. Side D: 15:40)
1. Sonnet 138. Sonnet 30. Sonnet 73 @0:00
2. Henry The Fourth (Part 2) - Act III, Scene 1 @2:56
3. Macbeth - Act II, Scene 1 @5:27
4. Richard The Third - Act 1, Scene 4 @8:10
5. Measure For Measure - Act III, Scene 1 12:05
6. Julius Caesar - Act II, Scene 2 @13:08
7. Hamlet - Act II, Scene 2 @13:49
8. Hamlet - Act III, Scene 2 @15:23
9. Hamlet - Act V, Scene 2 @17:52
10. Sonnet 29 @18:42
11. Cymbeline @19:41
12. Romeo And Juliet - Act V, Scene 3 @21:16
13. King Lear - Act V, Scene 3 @24:27
14. The Tempest - Act IV, Scene 1. Act V, Scene 1. Epilogue @27:19

The man as both an actor of the highest degree and a truth teller

I liked all of his choices for recitation, especially Romeo’s death scene as it was believable even though he was an old man acting.