Shakespearean Tragedy

Shakespearean Tragedy: Lectures on Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth is a book written by A. C. Bradley, which provides an in-depth analysis of the four greatest tragedies of William Shakespeare. The book is divided into four sections, each dedicated to one of the plays. Bradley begins by discussing Hamlet, exploring the character of the protagonist and the themes of revenge, madness, and the nature of existence. He then moves on to Othello, examining the themes of jealousy, racism, and the tragic flaw of the protagonist. The third section of the book is dedicated to King Lear, where Bradley discusses the themes of filial ingratitude, madness, and the nature of power. Finally, in the fourth section, Bradley analyzes Macbeth, exploring the themes of ambition, guilt, and the supernatural. Throughout the book, Bradley provides detailed analysis of the plays, including their structure, language, and characters. He also discusses the historical and cultural context of the plays, providing insights into Shakespeare's world and the Elizabethan era. Shakespearean Tragedy: Lectures on Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth is a seminal work of Shakespearean criticism and is widely regarded as one of the most important books on Shakespearean tragedy ever written. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Shakespeare, literature, or the art of criticism.1908. From the Introduction: In these lectures I propose to consider the four principal tragedies of Shakespeare from a single point of view. Nothing will be said of Shakespeare's place in the history of either English literature or of the drama in general. No attempt will be made to compare him with other writers. I shall leave untouched, or merely glanced at, questions regarding his life and character, the development of his genius and art, the genuineness, sources, texts, interrelations of his various works. Even what may be called, in a restricted sense, the poetry of the four tragedies-the beauties of style, diction, versification-I shall pass by in silence. Our one object will be what, again in a restricted sense, may be called dramatic appreciation; to increase our understanding and enjoyment of these works as dramas; to learn to apprehend the action and some of the personages of each with a somewhat greater truth and intensity, so that they may assume in our imaginations a shape a little less unlike the shape they wore in the imagination of their creator.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.