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A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets

A mystery in Shakespeare's sonnets is explored.

4.8

2005•1h 26m

In 1609, William Shakespeare published a collection of 154 sonnets, creating what is arguably the greatest lyric sequence in English literature - and at the center of this masterpiece lies a mystery that has endured for centuries. What are the identities of “the young man” and “the dark lady” to whom all but two of the sonnets allude? This moving performance brings to life the gritty reality of Shakespeare’s England, bits of the Bard’s plays and poems, and the consummate poet and dramatist himself as it exposes these personages unseen but so keenly felt in Shakespeare’s sonnets and in his life. Rupert Graves, Tom Sturridge, Indira Varma, Anna Chancellor, and Zoë Wanamaker star. Contains mature themes and explicit language. Some content may be objectionable. Produced by the Open University.

Production

Production

Trailers & Videos

Thumbnail for video: A Waste of Shame - Trailer

A Waste of Shame - Trailer

Cast

Photo of Rupert Graves

Rupert Graves

William Shakespeare

Photo of Tom Sturridge

Tom Sturridge

William Herbert

Photo of Indira Varma

Indira Varma

Lucie "The dark lady"

Photo of Zoë Wanamaker

Zoë Wanamaker

Countess of Pembroke

Photo of Anna Chancellor

Anna Chancellor

Anne Hathaway

Photo of Andrew Tiernan

Andrew Tiernan

Ben Jonson

Photo of Nicky Henson

Nicky Henson

John Shakespeare

Photo of Alan Williams

Alan Williams

George Wilkin

Photo of Nicholas Rowe

Nicholas Rowe

Richard Burbage

Photo of Tom Hiddleston

Tom Hiddleston

John Hall

Photo of Tom Mison

Tom Mison

Young Blood

Photo of Christopher Fairbank

Christopher Fairbank

Physician

Photo of Camilla Arfwedson

Camilla Arfwedson

Lucie's Maid

Photo of Joanne McCallin

Joanne McCallin

Street Hoare

Photo of Ian Hughes

Ian Hughes

Thomas Thorpe

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