Main content

2. Married in Haste

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 ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 4 in October 2004.

21 days left to listen

15 minutes

Last on

Last Wednesday 03:30

Broadcasts

  • Tue 23 Jun 2009 14:15
  • Wed 24 Jun 2009 04:15
  • Tue 3 Aug 2010 15:15
  • Tue 31 May 2011 15:45
  • Tue 16 Apr 2013 14:45
  • Tue 17 Dec 2024 08:30
  • Tue 17 Dec 2024 13:30
  • Tue 17 Dec 2024 19:30
  • Last Wednesday 03:30