William Shakespeare: Major Tragedies & Comedies Explained

No English literature exam is complete without William Shakespeare. He wrote 37 plays, but for PGT/TGT exams, the focus is predominantly on his four great tragedies and major comedies. In this post, we'll break down the key elements you must know to score high.

The Four Great Tragedies (HOML)

A simple acronym to remember the four great tragedies: H-O-M-L (Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, King Lear). Shakespearean tragedies share a common thread: a tragic hero with a fatal flaw (Hamartia) that leads to their downfall.

1. Hamlet (1600-1601)

• Tragic Flaw: Procrastination (delaying action) / Over-thinking.
• Theme: Revenge, madness, corruption.
• Key Quote: "To be, or not to be: that is the question."

2. Othello (1603-1604)

• Tragic Flaw: Jealousy and credulity (believing easily).
• Theme: Jealousy, manipulation, racism.
• Key Character: Iago, one of literature's greatest villains.

3. Macbeth (1606)

• Tragic Flaw: Vaulting ambition.
• Theme: Guilt, ambition, supernatural elements.
• Key Quote: "Fair is foul, and foul is fair."

4. King Lear (1605-1606)

• Tragic Flaw: Arrogance and inability to judge true character.
• Theme: Madness, betrayal, family dynamics, nothingness.
• Key Quote: "Nothing will come of nothing."

Major Comedies

Shakespearean comedies usually involve mistaken identities, cross-dressing, complex plots, and they always end happily (usually in marriage). The most important ones for exams are:

As You Like It

• Key Feature: Pastoral setting (Forest of Arden).
• Famous Quote: "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players" (spoken by Jaques).

A Midsummer Night's Dream

• Key Feature: Fairies, magic, multiple intersecting plots.
• Famous Quote: "The course of true love never did run smooth."

The Merchant of Venice

Though technically classed as a comedy, it's often viewed as a "problem play".

• Key Character: Shylock (the Jewish moneylender).
• Key Quote: "The quality of mercy is not strained..." (spoken by Portia).

Test Your Understanding

1. Who is the speaker of the line "All the world's a stage"?
2. Which play features the character Iago?