William Shakespeare Group

Question:

atlanta678
atlanta678
Student
High School - 11th Grade

How many tragedies did Shakespeare write, and what are some of the titles?

Rate question:

Posted by atlanta678 on Wednesday January 28, 2009 at 6:56 AM and tagged with shakespeare, tragedy, william shakespeare.

Answers:


  1. playsthething Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    There are some plays that don't neatly fit into categories, or that seem to span categories.  For example, "Julius Caesar" could be considered a history or a tragedy.  "Pericles" could be considered a romance or a tragedy.  So the number of tragedies Shakespeare wrote can be disputed.  I'd put the number at around 14:  "Romeo and Juliet," "Macbeth," "Othello," "Hamlet," "TItus Andronicus," "Pericles," "Cymbeline," "Troilus and Cressida," "Timon of Athens," "King Lear," "Coriolanus," "Julius Caesar," Antony and Cleopatra."

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/william-shakespeare-dramatist-salem...

    Rate answer:

    Posted by playsthething on Wednesday January 28, 2009 at 7:11 AM


  2. mpenza Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    It is generally accepted that Shakespeare wrote 10 tragedies during his life time with one that is still disputed . (Cymbeline - which was regarded in his first Folio as a tragedy yet most agree today it is a romance)

    William Shakespeare's Tragedies are as follows:
    Romeo and Juliet
    Macbeth
    King Lear
    Hamlet
    Othello
    Titus Andronicus
    Julius Caesar
    Antony and Cleopatra
    Coriolanus
    Timon of Athens

    Shakespearean tragedies feature a main character (s)  with a tragic flaw that brings about his or her downfall. Easiest way to look at a Shakespearean tragedy is to know that the Tragic Hero is doomed and usually dies. The redemption in a Shakespearean Tragedy usually comes from someone close to the Tragic hero or the Tragic Hero himself realizing the tragic flaw and what the flaw has done to destroy his life. Where some would say that Shakespeare's view of human existence is the   we are all doomed by forces that are oft times beyond our control( either fate or urges that are inherent in the human condition) . Shakespeare wrote most of his most famous tragedies during the time period of 1601 - 1608.  Most English Classes in High School cover Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, and Hamlet. Some AP courses might cover Othello or King Lear depending on the teacher and the course content. If you love tragedy and enjoy reading Shakespeare you may want to try: Antony and Cleopatra and Titus Andronicus.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/hamlet

    Rate answer:

    Posted by mpenza on Wednesday January 28, 2009 at 7:25 AM