Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth form a cohesive group in Shakespeare’s dramatic production. They rank among the greatest tragedies he wrote--indeed, that anyone ever wrote. Shakespeare produced them aH in one period of his life, in a steady outpouting of tragic eloquence: Hamlet (by 1601), Othello (c. 1603-1604), K/ng Lear (c. 1605), and Macbeth (1606-1607). He also wrote several dark comedies and problematic plays--All’s Well That Ends Well, Measure for Measure, and Troilus and Cressida--duting the early years of this tragic period; they too are touched by a dark view of humanity’s carnality and penchant for self-destruction. We encounter quite a separate tragic world of political snuggle and social disillusionment in Titus Andronicus (c. 1589-1591), Julius Caesar (1599), Timon of Athens (c. 1605-1608), Antony and Cleopatra (1606-1607), and Coriolanus(c. 1608), phys where Shakespeare, in other periods, turned to the ancient classical world for tragic material.

           HAMLET

One of the most famous plays of all time, the compelling tragedy of the young prince of Denmark who must reconcile his longing for oblivion with his duty to avenge his father’s murder is one of Shakespeare’s greatest works. The ghost, Ophelia’s death and burial, the play within a play, and the breathtaking swordplay are just some of the elements that make Hamlet a masterpiece of the theater.

           OTHELLO

This great tragedy of unsurpassed intensity and emotion is played out against Renaissance splendor. The doomed marriage of Desdemona to the Moor Othello is the focus of a storm of tension, incited by the consummately evil villain lago, that culminates in one of the most deeply moving scenes in theatrical history.

          KING LEAR

Here is the famous and moving tragedy of a king who foolishly divides his kingdom between his two wicked daughters and estranges himself from the young daughter who loves him--a theatrical spectacle of outstanding proportions.

           MACBETH

No dramatist has ever seen with more frightening clarity into the heart and mind of a murderer than has Shakespeare in this brilliant and bloody tragedy of evil. Taunted into asserting his "masculinity" by his ambitious wife, Macbeth chooses to embrace the Weird Sisters’ prophecy and kill his king--and thus, seals his own doom.

FOUR TRAGEDIES 

The Playhouse 

HAMLET,PRINCE OF DENMARK

Introduction

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark on Stage

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark on Screen

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

Date and Text

Textual Notes

Shakespeare’s Sources

Further Reading 

OTHELLO,THE MOOR OF VENICE 

Introduction

Othello,The Moor of Venice on Stage 

Othello,The Moor of Venice on Screen 

Othello,The Moor of Venice

Date and Text

Textual Notes

Shakespeare’s Sources

Further Reading

KING LEAR

Introduction

King Lear on Stage 

King Lear on Screen 

King Lear

Date and Text

Textual Notes

Shakespeare’s Sources 

Further Reading

MACBETH

Introduction

Macbeth on Stage

Macbeth on Screen

Macbeth

Date and Text

Textual Notes

Shakespeare’s Sources

Further Reading 

Memorable Lines

 Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

 Othello, the Moor of Venice

 King Lear

 Macbeth