Shakespeare's Tragic Skepticism

by Millicent Bell

Book Overview

Readers of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies have long noted the absence of readily explainable motivations for some of Shakespeare's greatest characters: why does Hamlet delay his revenge for so long? Why does King Lear choose to renounce his power? Why is Othello so vulnerable to Iago's malice? But while many critics have chosen to overlook these omissions or explain them away, Millicent Bell demonstrates that they are essential elements of Shakespeare's...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0300092555
• ISBN13: 9780300092554
• Release Date: November 2002
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.8" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Intelligent criticism

It is not easy to say anything new about Shakespeare's plays, but these are intelligent essays by someone who has spent years thinking sensitively about them. It is indeed interesting to reflect that Shakespeare removes the motives for action given in his sources and deliberately works to create a sense of uncertainty.Plenty to think about.