Shakespeare’s Major Tragedies: Introduction and Critical Analysis

At the heart of the Western literary “canon”, as it is often called, are the dramatic works of William Shakespeare, which have gained a global appeal and have found new homes in the theatres, the studies, and the film industry of many countries. As analyzed by the leading critic Harold Bloom, in his major works, Shakespeare “teaches us how and what to perceive, and he also instructs us how and what to sense and then to experience as sensation”. Accordingly, nobody before or after Shakespeare has “made so many separate selves”: as the 18th century already knew, Shakespeare “taught us to understand human nature” – perhaps he has even “invented the human”.

Especially prominent in the esteem which Shakespeare’s works enjoy are the tragedies. This lecture introduces them, not necessarily expecting any previous knowledge, and goes on to offer pathways of critical exploration to understand the qualities of the major tragic dramas. For a glimpse at the context, we will briefly talk about “who was Shakespeare?” and about “what is tragedy?” From there, we will devote attention to Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth. Each of these works is quite different from the others, so that there is no simple formula that applies to all. Each of them unfolds a radical appraisal of what it means to be human – with surprises.

In discussing these major works, an important element is the responses which students themselves may offer. How do students understand the dramatic characters and actions? Their critical echoes can be quite individually varied, and they are very welcome. Hence students are strongly encouraged to take part and to share their thoughts!