The Hamlet Podcast

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A weekly podcast exploring Shakespeare's Hamlet. Every episode covers approximately 20 lines of the play - week by week, until we finish sometime in 2021!

Conor Hanratty


    • May 25, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 11m AVG DURATION
    • 412 EPISODES

    4.9 from 89 ratings Listeners of The Hamlet Podcast that love the show mention: hamlet, shakespeare, context, play, line, deep, appreciate, voice, host, wonderful, thank, fun, time, great, hanratty.


    Ivy Insights

    The Hamlet Podcast is an incredibly informative and enjoyable podcast that delves deep into the world of Shakespeare's play, Hamlet. As an educator who incorporates Shakespeare into my syllabus and lesson plans, I have found this podcast to be a valuable resource for enhancing my understanding of the play. The host's concise summations and fascinating tidbits add layers of richness to the material, making it a joy to listen to. Additionally, the host has a beautiful voice that draws me in every time I tune in for the next episode.

    One of the best aspects of The Hamlet Podcast is its ability to cover not only the play itself but also a wide range of related subjects. From history and mythology to astronomy, politics, psychology, verse versus prose, and more, this podcast provides a feast for the mind. I particularly appreciate the lessons on Elizabethan/Jacobean English, which have significantly enriched my understanding of future performances. It is clear that Conner Hanratty has put a tremendous amount of work into creating this podcast as a valuable resource for anyone looking to understand Hamlet better or simply indulge in their love for the play.

    While there are no glaring faults with The Hamlet Podcast, one potential drawback is that it may not cater to those looking for quick summaries or surface-level analysis. The close readings provided in each episode require attention and focus, but they are incredibly illuminating as a result. Additionally, listening to every episode can be time-consuming due to the depth with which each scene is explored. However, I believe that the rewards far outweigh any potential drawbacks because these short podcasts often offer more insight than whole books on the subject.

    In conclusion, The Hamlet Podcast is an outstanding resource dedicated to breaking down Shakespeare's Hamlet scene by scene. Conner Hanratty has built something truly remarkable here and anyone interested in deepening their understanding of this iconic play will find immense value in these episodes. Whether you are a student, teacher, or simply a lover of literature, this podcast will provide you with an engaging and enriching experience. I highly recommend The Hamlet Podcast to anyone seeking a comprehensive exploration of Hamlet that goes beyond the surface.



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    Latest episodes from The Hamlet Podcast

    King Lear | Episode 65 - I Had A Son

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2025 17:35


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene iv - The scene comes to an end, not before Lear makes some more fantastical references and Edgar matches him with a famous rhyme. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 64 - Flibbertigibbet

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 22:27


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene iv - The Walking Fire - and its bearer - arrives. Edgar continues to perform his role as mad Poor Tom. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    shakespeare king lear conor hanratty
    King Lear | Episode 63 - Poor Bare Forked Animal

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 18:47


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene iv - Lear is still fascinated by Edgar, while the Fool still watches. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 62 - All The Plagues

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2025 15:24


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene iv - Lear is fascinated by Edgar, while the Fool watches what is happening. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 61 - The Foul Fiend

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2025 13:34


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene iv - Edgar appears as Poor Tom, scaring the Fool but fascinating Lear. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 60 - Poor Naked Wretches

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2025 16:22


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene iv - Kent tries to get Lear to take shelter in the hovel. Lear does some remarkable soul-searching, in his anger and madness. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 59 - Unnatural Dealing

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2025 12:12


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene iIi - Gloucester and Edmund discuss some top-secret news, and the unnatural way Lear's family is treating him. This episode is probably the 400th episode of The Hamlet Podcast! A huge thank you for listening. And do please stay tuned! Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 58 - My Wits Begin To Turn

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2025 14:54


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene ii - Lear gives in, and the Fool gives us another song - and a prophecy. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 57 - Grace and a Codpiece

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2025 16:11


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene ii - Kent appears, and Lear continues to cry into the storm. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 56 - Blow, Winds, and Crack Your Cheeks!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2025 12:24


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene i - Still out in the storm, Lear rails at the weather while the Fool attempts to suggest that they go back indoors. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 55 - Impetuous Blasts

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2025 16:22


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene i - Out in the storm, Kent meets the Gentleman and they discuss what's happening with Lear. (With bonus special effects audio from Incheon Airport!) Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 54 - Shut Up Your Doors

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 9:39


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene ii - With Lear gone, Regan and Goneril head indoors out of the storm - despite Gloucester's reservations. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 53 - Reason Not The Need

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2025 11:14


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene ii - Lear rages against his daughters. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 52 - What Need One

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2025 9:36


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene ii - Now Regan AND Goneril have suggestions - and Lear won't like them. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 51 - Do Not Make Me Mad

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2025 11:11


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene ii - Regan also insists that Lear listen to reason. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 50 - Half Your Train

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2025 6:57


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene ii - Goneril arrives, and the stakes start to get higher. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    Twelve Days of Christmas - Drummers Drumming

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2025 11:35


    A little seasonal treat! A romp through the strangest of Christmas gift-guides, with drummers, Danish kettles, Much Ado About tabors and even some biblical gifts. Season's greetings to you - and thank you for tuning in!

    Twelve Days of Christmas - Pipers Piping

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2025 13:26


    A little seasonal treat! A romp through the strangest of Christmas gift-guides, with pipers, recorders, organs and a little Irish mystery. Season's greetings to you!

    Twelve Days of Christmas - Lords-a-Leaping

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2025 8:49


    A little seasonal treat! A romp through the strangest of Christmas gift-guides, with ten lords-a-leaping, sonnets, spinets and calendars. Season's greetings to you!

    Twelve Days of Christmas - Ladies Dancing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2025 13:16


    A little seasonal treat! A romp through the strangest of Christmas gift-guides, via nine Shakespearean ladies and - hurrah - nine Shakespearean dances. Season's greetings to you!

    Twelve Days of Christmas - Maids-a-milking

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2025 11:48


    A little seasonal treat! A romp through the strangest of Christmas gift-guides, via maids and maidservants, Verdi and new-year gifts. Season's greetings to you!

    Twelve Days of Christmas - Swans-a-swimming

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2024 13:34


    A little seasonal treat! A romp through the strangest of Christmas gift-guides, via swans, music, Coole Park and Ben Jonson. Season's greetings to you!

    Twelve Days of Christmas - Geese-a-laying

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2024 9:06


    A little seasonal treat! A romp through the strangest of Christmas gift-guides, via geese, grease, barnacles and poetry. Season's greetings to you!

    Twelve Days of Christmas - Gold Rings

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2024 8:26


    A little seasonal treat! A romp through the strangest of Christmas gift-guides, via pheasants, Magi, French Kings and murder. Season's greetings to you!

    Twelve Days of Christmas - Colly or Calling Birds?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2024 9:23


    A little seasonal treat! A romp through the strangest of Christmas gift-guides, via Hamlet, Herod, Coventry and Glendalough. Season's greetings to you!

    Twelve Days of Christmas - French Hens

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2024 10:43


    A little seasonal treat! A romp through the strangest of Christmas gift-guides, via history, anonymous interludes and the Boar's Head Tavern. Seasons greetings to you!

    Twelve Days of Christmas - Partridges and Turtle Doves

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2024 12:26


    A little seasonal treat! A romp through the strangest of Christmas gift-guides, via comedy, history, metamorphosis and myth. Seasons greetings to you!

    King Lear | Episode 49 - Thou Shalt Never Have My Curse

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2024 11:44


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene ii - Lear continues to shout at Regan and Cornwall and fixate on Kent's having been put in the stocks. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 48 - You Are Old

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2024 12:34


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene ii - Regan and Cornwall appear at last. Regan gives Lear a very surprising command. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 47 - The Fiery Duke

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2024 15:30


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene ii - Lear returns with Gloucester, furious at being denied access to his daughter and her husband. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 46 - The Fool Will Stay

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2024 9:47


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene ii - After Lear's exit, Kent, Lear's Knight and the Fool continue the conversation. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 45 - This Mother

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2024 14:10


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene ii - Kent explains how he wound up in the stocks. The Fool says another little ditty, and Lear worries that he's almost overcome. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 44 - Cruel Garters

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2024 11:31


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene ii - Lear, the Fool and one of the Knights arrive, shocked to find Kent in the stocks. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 43 - Poor Tom

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2024 12:49


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene ii - Edgar appears, and explains his startling plan. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 42 - Enormous State

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2024 10:44


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene ii - Gloucester and Kent share a kind word, before Kent addresses his state. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 41 - Too Old To Learn

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2024 11:36


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene ii - Kent argues against his punishment, but not even Gloucester can help him. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 40 - Radiant Fire

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2024 12:24


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene ii - Kent continues to enrage Oswald and confound Cornwall. But punishment looms... Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 39 - Cackling Home to Camelot

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2024 13:18


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene ii - Cornwall questions Kent's anger - and gets some curious answers. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 38 - Thou Unnecessary Letter

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2024 13:16


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene ii - Reinforcements answer Oswald's cries for help, but Kent's insults keep coming. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 37 - Carbonado Your Shanks

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2024 9:30


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene ii - Kent continues attacking Oswald. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 35 - Lipsbury Pinfold

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2024 13:55


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene ii - Kent and Oswald meet outside Gloucester's home. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 34 - Virtue and Obedience

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2024 7:48


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene i - Cornwall and Regan explain the purpose of their visit, ending the scene and hinting at the approaching showdown. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 34 - Expense and Waste

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2024 11:19


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene i - Cornwall and Regan arrive, full of questions and ideas about what's been happening in Gloucester's house. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 33 - Natural Boy

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2024 11:01


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene i - Edmund's plot thickens, and Gloucester makes a decision. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 32 - The Murderous Coward

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2024 11:59


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene i - Gloucester arrives, eager to learn where Edgar is. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 31 - My Father

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2024 11:11


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene i - Edmund shows us just how determined he is to frame his brother. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 30 - Curan

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2024 8:04


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act II Scene i - Back at Gloucester's house, we encounter Edmund and a character called Curan. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 29 - Let Me Not Be Mad

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2024 14:45


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act I Scene v - Lear and the Fool prepare for their journey. But will it be to Gloucester or to Cornwall? Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 28 - A Hundred Knights!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2024 10:18


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act I Scene iv - Goneril and Albany regroup and end the scene.. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 27 - Hot Tears

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2024 11:36


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act I Scene iv - Lear storms back in, furious at yet another insult. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

    King Lear | Episode 26 - Ingratitude

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2024 14:41


    The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act I Scene iv - Lear answers Goneril's claims with a shocking curse. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

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