Study Notes on Hamlet's Melancholy (from A.C. Bradley's.
Part one: Tragic drama according to A.C. Bradley's theory of Shakespeare The substance of Shakespeare's tragedy solely points out to the power of death. In this five act play, the death of important characters suffices for the cruel reality of life. However, a completely realm is required in order to observe Shakespeare's version of tragedy.
A. C. Bradley, Shakespearean Tragedy This chapter focuses on dramatic literature and theatrical performance of Shakespearian play. First, we notice here and there what seems to be a consciousness of power, due probably to his success in counter-mining Claudius and blowing the courtiers to the moon, and to his vigorous action in the sea-fight.
In his book, Shakespearean Tragedy, A.C. Bradley discusses at length the many great works of William Shakespeare. One such work is that of Othello. The story Othello is one of Shakespeare s more intricate works. The basic plot is one a man betrayed by those who are supposed to be close to h.
In regard to Macbeth, A.C. Bradley asserts that to count it as a romantic tragedy such as Romeo and Juliet or Antony and Cleopatra would be a mistake, even though it centers around two lovers.
A. C. Swinburne: from 'A Study of Shakespeare' 1880. A. C. BRADLEY: from Shakespearean Tragedy, 1904. Let me try to show now, briefly, how much this melancholy accounts for. It accounts for the main fact, Hamlet's inaction. For the immediate cause of that is simply that his habitual feeling is one of disgust at life and everything in it.
Hamlet is the center of action in the play. This is a play so dominated by one character that Hamlet without the 'Prince is impossible to imagine. The play deals with his suffering and tragic death. The other characters in the play serve as foils to him. Hamlet's tragedy is a particular example of a universal predicament; action is necessary, but action in a fallen world involves us in evil.
Lecture on Othello - Othello's Jealousy. From Shakespearean Tragedy by A. C. Bradley. London: MacMillan and Co., 1919. The character of Othello is comparatively simple, but, as I have dwelt on the prominence of intrigue and accident in the play, it is desirable to show how essentially the success of Iago's plot is connected with this character.