Clear Shakespeare

The text, sources and performance history of Julius Caesar

Flavius and Marullus disperse the crowd

The running of the Lupercalia

The soothsayer’s warning to Caesar: Beware the Ides of March!

Cassius makes his first overture to Brutus

Caesar likes fat guys

Casca’s story about Caesar

The post Julius Caesar Part 1: Introduction & Act 1, Scenes 1 and 2 appeared first on Clear Shakespeare.

Omens and portents

Casca meets Cicero and Cassius in the storm

Letters to Brutus

Brutus’ decision in his orchard

The conspirators arrive at Brutus’ house

Debating who must die

Portia hates secrets

Caius Ligarius wants in

The post Julius Caesar Part 2: Act 1, Scene 3 & Act 2, Scene 1 appeared first on Clear Shakespeare.

Calpurnia’s strange dream

The augurers find a beast without a heart

Decius Brutus convinces Caesar to go

The conspirators come to collect Caesar

Artemidorus’ warning letter to Caesar

Portia and the soothsayer

The road to the Capitol and the missed warnings

Popilius Lena jumps the gun

Metellus Cimber’s request

Caesar the North Star

Assassination!

Washing hands in Caesar’s blood

Antony’s return and deal with Brutus

Antony plots revenge for Caesar

Octavius is coming

The post Julius Caesar Part 3: Act 2, Scenes 2, 3 and 4 & Act 3, Scene 1 appeared first on Clear Shakespeare.

The Art of Rhetoric

Brutus defends killing Caesar

Marc Antony’s funeral oration

The mob finds Cinna the Poet

Antony, Octavius and Lepidus make plans

Antony’s real opinion of Lepidus

The post Julius Caesar Part 4: Act 3, Scenes 2 and 3 & Act 4, Scene 1 appeared first on Clear Shakespeare.

Brutus has doubts about Cassius

Cassius is mad at Brutus

Brutus accuses Cassius of taking bribes

Brutus is short on cash

Brutus and Cassius make up

A poet interrupts Brutus and Cassius

Portia is dead

Portia is dead again?

The decision to fight at Philippi

Lucius’ song

Great Caesar’s ghost

Setting off early

The post Julius Caesar Part 5: Act 4, Scenes 2 and 3 appeared first on Clear Shakespeare.

Antony and Octavius disagree about battle tactics

Parley before battle

Cassius’ birthday

Brutus and Cassius say goodbye

Brutus attacks!

Pindarus reports on Titinius’ ride

Cassius’ suicide and Pindarus’ escape

Titinius’ suicide

Brutus finds Cassius’ body

The second battle

Lucilius impersonates Brutus

Brutus’ difficult suicide

Antony and Octavius pay tribute to Brutus

The post Julius Caesar Part 6: Act 5, Scenes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 appeared first on Clear Shakespeare.

The texts, sources and performance history of A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Theseus and Hippolyta make wedding plans

Egeus is angry at Hermia for loving Lysander

Hermia defends herself

Theseus’ ruling

Hermia and Lysander plan to elope

Helena is miserable

The mechanicals cast the play

Bottom wants to play all the parts

The post Midsummer Part 1: Introduction & Act 1, Scenes 1 and 2 appeared first on Clear Shakespeare.

English fairy traditions

Introducing Puck

Oberon and Titania fight over the changeling boy

Oberon sends Puck for the magic flower

Helena chases Demetrius

Oberon sends Puck to enchant Demetrius

The post Midsummer Part 2: Act 2, Scene 1 appeared first on Clear Shakespeare.

The Green World

Titania’s lullaby

Oberon enchants Titania

Lysander and Hermia sleep cute

Puck enchants the wrong guy

Lysander loves the wrong girl

Hermia wakes up alone

The mechanicals rehearse

Bottom has a few notes

Puck puts the ass’ head on Bottom

Bottom scares away his friends

Titania falls in love with Bottom the ass

Bottom meets the fairies

The post Midsummer Part 3: Act 2, Scene 2 & Act 3, Scene 1 appeared first on Clear Shakespeare.

Puck tells Oberon about Titania’s new boyfriend

Hermia thinks Demetrius killed Lysander

Oberon enchants Demetrius

Now Lysander and Demetrius both love Helena

Helena doesn’t trust their love, or Hermia’s protestations

Lysander rejects Hermia

Helena and Hermia fight!

Now Lysander and Demetrius fight!

Puck the ventriloquist

Everybody goes to sleep

Puck unenchants Lysander

The post Midsummer Part 4: Act 3, Scene 2 appeared first on Clear Shakespeare.