April 23: William Shakespeare

On this day in 1616, Shakespeare died. It is traditionally believed that he was also born on this day in 1564. We’ve collected audiobooks of the Bard’s most famous works and additional teaching resources to celebrate the life of one of the greatest writers in the English language.

Shakespeare Banner

Post this banner on social media to share FCIT’s collection of free Shakespeare audiobooks.

Listen to Romeo and Juliet on Lit2Go

Romeo and Juliet is an early tragedy by William Shakespeare about two teenage “star-cross’d lovers” whose “untimely deaths” ultimately unite their feuding households. Available on Lit2Go.

Listen to The Merchant of Venice on Lit2Go

The Merchant of Venice is one of William Shakespeare’s best-known plays, written sometime between 1596 and 1598. Available on Lit2Go.

Listen to Hamlet on Lit2Go

Hamlet is a tragedy and revenge play by William Shakespeare. Available on Lit2Go.

Listen to The Tragedy of Macbeth on Lit2Go

Macbeth is among the best known of William Shakespeare’s plays, as well as his shortest surviving tragedy. Available on Lit2Go.

Listen The Tragedy of Julius Caesar on Lit2Go

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is a dramatized account of the betrayal of the the Roman Emperor. Available on Lit2Go.

Listen to the Sonnets on Lit2Go

Shakespeare’s Sonnets is a collection of 154 poems in sonnet form written by William Shakespeare that deal with such themes as love, beauty, politics, and mortality. Available on Lit2Go.

Illustrations of Shakespeare's Plays

This gallery of illustrations includes over 60 images from The Tempest, The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merchant of Venice, Macbeth, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Romeo and Juliet. Available from the ClipArt ETC website.

Shakespeare Portrait

The Stratford portrait of William Shakespeare, from the ClipArt ETC website.

Birthplace of William Shakespeare

Cottage where Shakespeare was born from the ClipArt ETC website.

Shakespeare's Church

The Collegiate Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, Stratford-upon-Avon is a parish church in the Church of England. It is often known simply as Shakespeare’s Church, due to its fame as the place of baptism and burial of William Shakespeare. Available from the ClipArt ETC website.

Map of England and Wales at the Time of Shakespeare

Use the “zoom” controls at the bottom of the map to zoom in to Stratford on Avon near the center of the map. From the Maps ETC website.

Map of Stratford on Avon

Bird’s-eye view of Stratford on Avon showing Shakespearean landmarks and other points of interest.