Shakespearean Tragedy

In the lectures presented in this book 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 either of 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 geuineness, sources, texts, inter-relations 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. — A.C. Bradley