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!
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.
The Hamlet Podcast - now bringing you a twice weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Othello. Act One, Scene Three | Othello is to be sent to Cyprus to fight against the Ottomans - but what is to become of his new wife? Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
A special bonus episode featuring an interview with my co-writer, Amy Smith, all about her work, my work, and particularly about OUR BOOK, released today, August 27, 2026. There's also a discount code for all Hamlet Podcast listeners - if you buy our book from Bloomsbury dot com, you can get a 35% discount using the code BGTMACBETH3 - and there's also a competition within the episode for a FREE copy. But for that you'll have to listen through. Please enjoy this special chat, and know how grateful I am for your continued support.
The Hamlet Podcast - now bringing you a twice weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Othello. Act One, Scene Three | Desdemona arrives, and answers her father's complaints. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast As a countdown to the release of my new book on August 27th, we are revisiting Macbeth through the lens of the five senses. Most of this is material that escaped both the book AND the podcast - so it's all new, just for you! Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - now bringing you a twice weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Othello. Act One, Scene Three | Othello tells the story of how he wooed Desdemona. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - now bringing you a twice weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Othello. Act One, Scene Three | Othello gets to speak for himself - and shows himself a very fine orator, putting his life on the line in the most extraordinary way. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast As a countdown to the release of my new book on August 27th, we are revisiting Macbeth through the lens of the five senses. Most of this is material that escaped both the book AND the podcast - so it's all new, just for you! Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - now bringing you a twice weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Othello. Act One, Scene Three | Othello and Brabantio arrive at the Duke's Chamber, and accusations are hurled. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - now bringing you a twice weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Othello. Act One, Scene Three | We shift to the Duke's chamber, where reports are flying in about the threat to Cyprus from the Ottoman empire. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast As a countdown to the release of my new book on August 27th, we are going to revisit Macbeth through the lens of the five senses. All of this will be material that escaped both the book AND the podcast - so it's all new, just for you! Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - now bringing you a twice weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Othello. Act One, Scene Two | Brabantio and his cohort appear, furious, but Othello shows real authority in how he handles the situation - despite yet more racist abuse from the old man. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - now bringing you a twice weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Othello. Act One, Scene Two | Iago has found Othello - at the Sagittary, as planned - and it seems that all of Venice is abuzz tonight. But not, perhaps, with news of Othello's marriage.... Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast As a countdown to the release of my new book on August 27th, we are going to revisit Macbeth through the lens of the five senses. All of this will be material that escaped both the book AND the podcast - so it's all new, just for you! Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a twice weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Othello. Act One, Scene One | Iago makes himself scarce, and Brabantio rallies his household to hunt for Desdemona - led, would you believe, by Roderigo. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a twice weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Othello. Act One, Scene One | Brabantio appears, the racism continues, and first we dicsuss Commedia dell'Arte - for reasons that will become clear as we proceed! Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast As a countdown to the release of my new book on August 27th, we are going to revisit Macbeth through the lens of the five senses. All of this will be material that escaped both the book AND the podcast - so it's all new, just for you! Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a twice weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Othello. Act One, Scene One | Iago reveals some choice information about himself, but Roderigo fixates on other matters. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a twice weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Othello. Act One, Scene One | Roderigo and Iago enter, arguing over some bad news. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a twice weekly exploration of Shakespeare's Othello. Greetings from Venice! I am here on holiday but figured this was the right place to launch our journey through Othello. Episode 01 will be with you in just a couple of days but this introduction will lay some groundwork for the story. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act V Scene iii - We reach the end of King Lear. This is maybe the longest ever single episode of the podcast, but it felt impossible to divide up the final moments of the play - from Lear's entrance to the ending, it demanded to be a single episode. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act V Scene iii - More revelations, more deaths, and a surprise move from Edmund. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
Coming this June - after a little break to recover from the end of King Lear, we shall begin a journey through Shakespeare's Othello. I hope you'll join me.
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act V Scene iii - Edgar unmasks, and tells tale upon tale of what he has been through. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act V Scene iii - A challenger appears, insults are traded, and a victor emerges... Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act V Scene iii - Trial by combat looms: the tension is high and Regan seems very unwell indeed... Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act V Scene iii - Regan enters the chat, but then Albany shocks everyone. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act V Scene iii - Albany and Edmund discuss their next steps. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act V Scene iii - Edmund sends a Captain with a chilling note. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act V Scene iii - Lear and Cordelia are brought on, as prisoners. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act V Scene ii - Edgar and Gloucester take refuge under a tree. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act V Scene i - Edgar makes his suit to Albany, and then Edmund reveals how he really feels about Regan and Goneril. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act V Scene i - At Dover, Edmund, Albany, Regan and Goneril start to plan for the impending battles. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vii - We end Act IV with tears, forgiveness, and a little bit of German gossip. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vii - Lear wakes, and a poignant recognition scene ensues. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vii - Cordelia and the Doctor ponder Lear's condition, as he seems on the brink of waking. *PLUS - news of my forthcoming book! If you'd like 25% off, pre-order it from Waterstones THIS WEEK, Feb 17-20, 2026. Search for it under my name, Bloomsbury Teacher Introductions, Macbeth, and my co-author Amy Smith.* Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vii - At the French camp, Lear sleeps while Cordelia and Kent determine what to do next. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vi - We reach the end of Act 4 Scene 6, as Edgar deals with Oswald and his despairing but lucid father. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
This year's seasonal offering takes the form of a voyage, exploring resonances inspired by the carol "I Saw Three Ships". Today, the third and final episode recounts the tale of the Sea Venture. The real life escapades of this important ship inspired Shakespeare's most famous maritime fantasy, The Tempest, and this episode will transport you all the way into 2026. Happy New Year!
This year's seasonal offering takes the form of a voyage, exploring resonances inspired by the carol "I Saw Three Ships". Today, for Episode 02, we board the delicate barque of the Sonnets. Seasons greetings to you!
This year's seasonal offering takes the form of a voyage, exploring resonances inspired by the carol "I Saw Three Ships". Today, for Episode 01, we explore the fascinating mythology of The Tiger, which appeared in an earlier episode during our exploration of Macbeth. Seasons greetings to you!
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vi - Oswald enters, with murderous intent. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vi - Edgar, Gloucester and the Gentleman all respond to what has happened. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vi - Lear recognises Gloucester, before descending into further madness. Listen to the end for news of a) a new book and b) Christmas treats coming your way! Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vi - Gloucester wonders at Lear's fallen state, while Lear madly criticises the hypocrisies of the world. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vi - Lear rails against women, while Gloucester is overcome with emotion at seeing him. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vi - Lear enters, at a new level of madness. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vi - Gloucester attempts to jump, but Edgar has a whole plan in place. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vi - Gloucester and Edgar reach Dover. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene v - Regan tries to get information out of Oswald. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene iv - Regan and Oswald reappear, discussing various pressing concerns. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene iv - Cordelia hears reports of her father and hopes her Doctor can help make him better. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
© 2020-2026 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
