Shakespeare in Italy
Shakespeare was in love with Italy. A third of his plays are set in the country. For the Elizabethan playwright, it was the stage on which to explore his greatest themes of love, war, fidelity, betrayal and politics. Francesco da Mosto visits spectacular locations, traces Italian myths and reveals how a long dead, foreign playwright’s imagination continues to influence real Italian cities.
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Shakespeare in Italy on BBC Select
Episode 1: Land of Love
Francesco da Mosto reveals why Shakespeare used Italy to tell his most passionate stories.
Francesco da Mosto takes to the Italian road again in search of Shakespeare in Italy. From Romeo and Juliet to the jealousy of Othello, Shakespeare used the land of love to tell his most passionate stories. A long the way, Francesco adds some
insights of his own, unearths fascinating facts, and revels in claims that not only did Shakespeare visit Italy, but was actually born in Sicily.
Episode 2: Land of Fortune
Francesco da Mosto looks at Italy as the land of adventure and ambition for the Bard.
Francesco da Mosto takes a look at Italy as a land of adventure and ambition, where fortunes are made and battles are fought. Beginning in Venice, he considers how his hometown struck Shakespeare as the perfect setting for The Merchant of Venice. Heading south to Rome, he discusses the great Roman plays Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra. Finally, he visits the magical setting for The Tempest.
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