Shakespeare’s Sonnets

Shakespeare’s Sonnets

By NatureGuides Ltd.

  • Category: Entertainment
  • Release Date: 2012-06-28
  • Current Version: 1.0.10
  • Adult Rating: 12+
  • File Size: 1.42 GB
  • Developer: NatureGuides Ltd.
  • Compatibility: Android, iOS 12.0
Score: 5
5
From 19 Ratings

Description

A masterly app...As accessible as it is scholarly, it’s an extraordinary achievement, that brings the sonnets bracingly to life and definitively sets the bar for the future of digital reading.' – Robert Collins, London Sunday Times The Sonnets presents William Shakespeare’s immortal collection of love poems in an interactive digital edition that allows you to explore, appreciate and understand this great work of literature as never before. All 154 sonnets are performed to camera by a star-studded cast including Sir Patrick Stewart (Star Trek, X-Men, Royal Shakespeare Company), David Tennant (Dr Who, Hamlet), Kim Cattrall (Sex and the City), Fiona Shaw (The Waste Land, Harry Potter), Stephen Fry (The Hobbit) and Dominic West (The Wire). These performances – all specially filmed for the app – are synchronised to the text, which highlights line by line as each sonnet is spoken. The performance videos, running over two and a half hours, are just the beginning. Also included are the complete Notes and Introduction from the Arden Shakespeare, offering unsurpassed scholarly commentary and insight. Touch a mysterious line or difficult word in any of the poems and the corresponding Arden Note highlights to provide comprehensive explanation. An alternative commentary on every sonnet comes from poet and musician Don Paterson, whose humorous and accessible style complements the academic rigour of the Arden Notes. Features include: • Beautiful filmed performances of all 154 sonnets by an incredible cast of Shakespearian actors and experts • The complete Arden edition text of The Sonnets plus A Lover’s Complaint • The complete Arden Shakespeare notes and introduction fully integrated • New commentary on The Sonnets by Don Paterson • Facility to add your own notes on any sonnet • High resolution facsimile of the original 1609 Quarto showing Shakespeare’s Sonnets as originally published • Forty interviews with scholars and experts discussing the meaning of The Sonnets and their author • Share-a-Sonnet allows you to send a sonnet to friends by email, Twitter or Facebook • Second generation interface based on the acclaimed Faber / Touch Press literary app The Waste Land • AirPlay enabled allowing the performances to be streamed full screen to AppleTV The Sonnets are published by RGB, the people behind the best-selling iPad titles The Elements and The Waste Land. The Sonnets was produced and published in partnership with Faber and Faber, Illuminations and the Arden Shakespeare.

Screenshots

Reviews

  • My first download on my new iPad!

    5
    By Islandberg
    Ten years ago I asked for an AppStore gift card and I picked this app. I’ve always loved Shakespeare and this purchase did not disappoint! The readings are wonderful and the text is phenomenal. It’s also wonderful to have Sir Patrick Stewart recite one of your favorite sonnets. A must get for any Shakespeare fan, you will not regret the purchase. It’s sad that I am only the 7th review. This app should have far more interest for the content it contains. I especially loved the scanned images of original works, what a treat to see!
  • My Favorite App

    5
    By KellyClassic
    This is absolutely my most favorite app!!!! Please make it available on iphone again.
  • Masterful

    5
    By JN Lewis
    A masterpiece! Worth the purchase if you're a Shakespeare sonnet lover. Each actor's rendition is entertaining and moving. Sir Patrick Stewart is my personal favorite. Highly recommended!
  • Magnificent!

    5
    By Billclock
    This has to be the most humongous app ever which is a necessary downside to keeping it on an iPad that doesn't have the most memory. But that aside, it is beautifully done. My next iPad will have all the memory available. This app alone is worth doing that!
  • Impressive!

    5
    By Catspeare
    This is an amazing collection of high quality videos of talented actors reciting the sonnets, the sonnets themselves with academic notations and analysis as well as facsimiles of the originals. Truly a gift to those who love Shakespeare and want to share him with others. Money well spent!
  • Fantastic app

    5
    By pennymaster
    This well-made app is a wonderful way to read and listen to Shakespeare's poetry and is well worth it's price
  • Beautiful

    5
    By m1cha657
    A treasure trove, if you like Shakespeare or want to know him better this is the app to go.
  • Stunning all-purpose Sonnet tool

    5
    By confinity
    If the sonnets are of any interest to you (and they should be) this gem is a wonderful first resource: a combination of video/audio performances synced to the onscreen text, historical and literary commentary (also linked to the text, with copious references to other works, as well as to other sonnets-linked, of course!), a favorites list, a space for my notes, and the kicker, a Quarto, also linked and cross referenced! This is my first stop when I undertake the journey of a new sonnet. A slick, attractive, intuitive and well thought out interface makes it a breeze to use, with nearly all its many features available no matter where you are in the app. Great design and content make this a no brainier for anyone needing an accessible introduction, or a deeper understanding of, these often overlooked masterworks.
  • How could it be better?

    5
    By Mike the Martian
    You've got the Shakespearean actors and scholars reading the bard's sonnets, along with a plethora of extras. It just couldn't get any better. Bravo and thanks to the creators of this fine app. Come on, you other owners of this app, get in there and write the kind of reviews this app deserves!
  • Wonderful collection

    5
    By Awelker
    I can't think of a better way to enjoy the Sonnets than read by these wonderful actors. "Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day", read by David Tennant, just made my Valentine's Day.

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