Shakespeare’s Tragedies

Overview

Course No. 2752
Get a close examination of the great Shakespearean tragedies in this insightful course taught by an expert Shakespeare scholar.

This 24-lecture course with award-winning Professor Arthur F. Kinney explores Shakespeare’s six mature tragedies written between 1600-1608:

• Hamlet
• Othello
• King Lear
• Macbeth
• Antony and Cleopatra
• Coriolanus

You’ll gain:

• Deep analysis of protagonists’ moral and psychological struggles
• Understanding of competing social pressures that shape each tragedy
• Insights into Shakespeare’s unparalleled dramatic language
• Tools to enhance your appreciation of performances and readings

Video Lectures

1. Introduction to Shakespearean Tragedy
   The essence of Shakespeare’s tragic vision.
2. Hamlet: The Melancholy Prince
   Analyzing the existential crisis of Denmark’s heir.
3. Hamlet: Madness and Method
   The psychology behind “antic disposition.”
4. Othello: The Green-Eyed Monster
   Iago’s manipulation and the destruction of trust.
5. Othello: Race and Otherness
   The Moor’s position in Venetian society.
6. King Lear: The Fractured Kingdom
   Familial betrayal and monarchal unraveling.
7. King Lear: Nature and Nihilism
   Storm scenes and profound philosophical questions.
8. Macbeth: Ambition’s Price
   The psychological descent of Scotland’s thane.
9. Macbeth: Supernatural Elements
   Witches, prophecies, and nature’s disruption.
10. Antony and Cleopatra: Love vs. Empire
    Passion versus political duty in Rome and Egypt.
11. Antony and Cleopatra: East Meets West
    Cultural contrasts shaping the tragedy.
12. Coriolanus: The Hero’s Flaw
    Pride, class conflict, and military virtue turned vice.