Six Centuries of Verse

Sir John Gielgud is joined by an outstanding repertory of actors in this pioneering, imaginative series demonstrating the immense variety and emotional impact of English-language poetry, from the fourteenth century to the contemporary era.

en
Drama
Created By

First Aired on

May 02, 1984

1 seaons till Dec 09, 1984

Popularity: 11.0293
1 votes
Networks
(GB)
Production

Thames Television (GB)

Status: Ended

Show Ended

Last episode: Towards the Present 1934-1984

Seasons & episodes

Total 1 seasons, 16 episodes

Season 1

Aired

16 Episodes
  • Episode 1Chaucer - Ted Hughes400 min

    This introductory programme establishes the continuity and variety of poetry over six centuries, touching on different genres by using extracts from some of the many poems featured in the series - from Chaucer to Ted Hughes.

  • Episode 2Old English400 min

    A look at the poetry composed between the mid-seventh century and the Norman Conquest, including Julian Glover's reading of part of his own adaptation of the heroic epic Beowulf.

  • Episode 3Chaucer 1340-1400400 min

    Chaucer was the first great named poet in English. This programme focuses on The Canterbury Tales, with a reading of the introduction by Gary Watson and a detailed exploration of The Pardoner's Tale.

  • Episode 4Medieval - Elizabethan 1400-1600400 min

    This programme explores the late Medieval period leading into the Renaissance, discussing poems dealing with love, death and ambition by Skelton, Wyatt, Raleigh, Marlowe and Shakespeare.

  • Episode 5Shakespeare 1564-1616400 min

    A chronological look at Shakespeare's dramatic genius, using extracts from eight plays: Romeo and Juliet, Henry V, Twelfth Night, Hamlet, King Lear, Antony and Cleopatra, Cymbeline and The Tempest.

Crew & Team

Richard Mervyn

Producer

Diana Potter

Producer

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