Shakespearean Tragedy
by A. C. Bradley
On This Page
Description
A.C.Bradley's Shakespearean Tragedy, first published in 1904, ranks as one of the greatest works of Shakespearean criticism of all time. In his ten lectures, Bradley has provided a study of the four great tragedies - Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth - which reveals a deep understanding of Shakespearean thought and artThis centenary edition features a new Introduction by Robert Shaughnessy which places Bradley's work in the critical, intellectual and cultural context of its time. show more Shaughnessy summarises the content and argumentative thrust of the book, outlines the critical debates and counter-arguments that have followed in the wake of its publication and, most importantly, prompts readers to engage with Bradley's work itself. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
Very hard to overstate how much this book helped turn Shakespeare and his works into a vital part of my life. From the Introduction to the last page, one of the books you must own to help you on your journey into the world of the plays.
This book holds up well. I like his take on Hamlet.
Greatly enhanced my enjoyment and appreciation of all four plays.
One of the world authorities on Shakespeare; good and useful analysis on Macbeth.
Ratings
Members
- Recently Added By
Lists
Trinity College Booklist (1951): Class Ten, English Literature
358 works; 5 members
Works concerning William Shakespeare
75 works; 4 members
In Our Time books
4,934 works; 2 members
Author Information
18+ Works 1,038 Members
A. C. Bradley was Professor of Poetry at the University of Oxford
Some Editions
Series
Belongs to Publisher Series
Work Relationships
Is a commentary on the text of
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Shakespearean Tragedy
- Original publication date
- 1904
- People/Characters
- Hamlet; Othello; King Lear; Macbeth; William Shakespeare
- Important places
- Denmark; Scotland, Great Britain; England, UK; Venice, Veneto, Italy
- Related movies
- The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)
- Dedication
- To my students
- First words
- The question we are to consider in this lecture may be stated in a variety of ways. We may put it thus: What is the substance of a Shakespearean tragedy, taken in abstraction both from its form and from the differences ... (show all)in point of substance between one tragedy and another?
- Quotations
- LADY MACBETH
[is] The most commanding and perhaps the most awe-inspiring figure that Shakespeare drew. Her greatness lies almost wholly in courage and force of will. She is, up to her light, a perfect wife. She gives her h... (show all)usband the best she can; has his own interests always at heart; never recriminates; cares for him (`you lack sleep') and has faith in his abilities. Never betrays him: however appalling she may be, she is sublime. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)For the moment, too, all the language of poetry--even of Macbeth's poetry--seems to be touched with unreality, and these brief toneless sentences seem the only voice of truth.
- Original language
- English
Classifications
- Genres
- Literature Studies and Criticism, Nonfiction, Fiction and Literature
- DDC/MDS
- 822.33 — Literature & rhetoric English & Old English literatures English drama Elizabethan 1558-1625 Shakespeare, William 1564–1616
- LCC
- PR2983 .B7 — Language and Literature English English Literature English renaissance (1500-1640)
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 944
- Popularity
- 27,960
- Reviews
- 4
- Rating
- (4.19)
- Languages
- English, Italian, Portuguese, Russian
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 54
- ASINs
- 46
