Film: "Hamnet"

Verse and Voice: A Festival of Poetry

In 16th-century rural England, Agnes and William Shakespeare are confronted with the death of their only son. This screening commemorates the birthday of the Bard as well as his 154 sonnets.

Directed by Chloé Zhao, "Hamnet" is a luminous adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s celebrated novel, blending historical drama with profound, lyrical emotional intimacy. The film stars Jessie Buckley in her Academy Award-winning role as Agnes, a woman of deep, earthy intuition and the wife of ambitious, fledgling playwright William Shakespeare, played by Paul Mescal.

The narrative centers on the couple’s life in 16th-century Stratford-upon-Avon, shifting focus from the stage to the domestic heart of the Bard’s world. The plot explores the devastating impact of the bubonic plague on their young family. It serves as a poignant origin story, illustrating how a father’s immense grief and a mother’s resilience transmute into one of literature’s most enduring masterpieces.

PG-13; 2 hours, 5 minutes.

For more poetry programming, see the digital brochure for "Verse and Voice: A Festival of Poetry" taking place from April 18-May 4 at the library. 

Public Humanities programs are presented with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this programming do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Community Room Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Assistive listening system compatible with personal T-coil-enabled devices (compatible headphones also available for use during programs)
• English-language subtitles for films (when available)
• If there is an accommodation that you need or would like so that you can fully enjoy library programs, please visit our Accommodations Request Form.

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