Shakespeare's Tragedies

by Clare R. Kinney

Shakespeare's contributions to stage and language are unequaled, audiences left breathless for the past four centuries, his artistry as evident in moments of insensate rage as it is in moments of heartbreaking tenderness. But beyond his astonishing feats of language and dramatic impact, Shakespeare also left us a legacy in the explorations of suffering and transgression offered in the six great mature tragedies—Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, Antony and Cleopatra, and Coriolanus—that make up the astonishing body of work he produced from 1600 to 1608. This series of 24 exciting lectures from an award-winning teacher takes you deep within each play to observe Shakespeare's protagonists struggling to make choices in the face of competing social, moral, and psychological pressures and "clawing [from] their pain and horror," as Professor Kinney puts it, " [to] a kind of insight." Whether you're a veteran lover of Shakespeare, someone new to his work, or an old lover returning after too long away, you'll find this course a delight, as Professor Kinney offers insights that give you a nuanced understanding of each play's meaning. It's a gift that will increase the dramatic impact of every Shakespearean tragedy you see on the stage or screen, or visualize as you read them, as well as enhance your ability to form insights on your own with each reading or performance.

Genres: Audiobook, Shakespeare, Nonfiction, Literature, Plays, British Literature, Literary Criticism

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Carol Bakker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clare Kinney's English accent is a benediction. It's almost worth twelve hours of your time just to hear her talk! Kinney guides the reader through Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, Antony and Cleopatra, and Coriolanus. Thank you, Dr. Kinney, for omitting Titus Andronicus. ::shudder::

My favorite lecture was the last one, where Kinney discusses Shakespeare's later plays that go beyond tragic plots and end in wonder and grace. [Pericles, Cymbeline, The Winter's Tale, The Tempest] It may be the first time I have heard a Teaching Company lecturer become choked up when talking.

[Doug Trani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this lecture series had been around when my high school English class read Macbeth. I might have actually understood and appreciated it. I saw the play performed a few years later, but I still had far too little comprehension and appreciation to truly enjoy the experience and stave off sleep from sheer boredom. Although I have never been afraid of Virginia Woolf, Shakespeare has always terrified me. This has evoked avoidance behavior and I have never really tried to understand Shakespeare. Dr. Kinney's lecture series, however, provides people like me with a framework for grasping the essence of Shakespeare's tragedies, using Macbeth, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Anthony and Cleopatra, and Coriolanus as examples of the genre. Her lectures about these plays are insightful and thought provoking. Now I feel motivated to read them all, to study them more, and then to see them performed. Some, possibly, more than once.

[Michael Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent choice by Great Courses. A shame that the company didn't use Clare Kinney for other lecture series on Shakespeare. She explores the texts by performing--not simply reading--certain key passages. Her insight is so convincing, I may even reexamine "Coriolanus"--which seemed to me to be one of the Bard's weaker plays.

[Mary Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a good overview of the major Shakespearean tragedies - some, like Lear, I thought I knew very well, and others, like Coriolanus, that I barely knew. I learned a lot I had missed in the ones I thought I knew, and now I want to see if I can find productions of those I barely knew.

[Hunter Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful review of Shakespeare's Tragedies and the last lecture is very interesting part tie-in part exploration of other of his works. You will not be able to appreciate the lectures unless you are familiar with the tragedies. Love the Professor's use of quotes and explanations.

[Tom Baikin-O'hayon · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good introductory review with several good insights,

[Michelle Mosley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, well done; will have to return to these lectures again after going through the tragedies she covered!

[Hamish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh.

[Brenden Gallagher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good lecture series on Shakespearean’s major tragedies

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started in 2023 - but the only reason it took me so long to finish it was that I wanted to read all the plays as she discussed them. Missed out on one, but the lectures are still very interesting.

[John P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this course. I will rewatch.

[Roberta Westwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very lively

This was a very lively and engaging way to learn about Shakespeare. I learned a lot!

[Mothwing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful and sometimes laugh-out-loud hilarious walk through the tragedies, discussing Hamlet, King Lear, Macbeth, Othello, Anthony and Cleopatra and Coriolanus. Great to get reacquainted or to get an introduction to these tragedies.

[Alisi ☆ wants to read too many books ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating.