Six celebrated hosts to tell the stories behind the stories of Shakespeare's greatest plays, revealing not just the elements in the play, but the history of the play itself. What sparked the creation of each of these works? Where did Shakespeare get his plots, and what cultural, political and religious factors influenced his writing? Why has this body of work endured so thoroughly? What, in the end, makes Shakespeare so great?

Combines elements of analysis, history, biography, performance, and the personal passions of six presenters to tell the stories behind the stories of six Shakespeare plays. Includes interviews with actors, directors, and scholars; visits to key locations; clips from celebrated film and television adaptations; and illustrative excerpts from performances staged at Shakespeare's Globe in London especially for the series.