Prof. Harold Bloom - Shakespeare: The Seven Major Tragedies - I - 2009 - Multiple Subtitles - Remastered 2025 - 4K
Part I - Timestamps: Romeo and Juliet 00:00 - Julius Caesar 36:19 - Hamlet: part I 01:09:08 - part II 01:42:34 - part III 02:18:58
Harold Bloom (1930-2019): Sterling Professor of Humanities at Yale University and a former Charles Eliot Norton Professor at Harvard, Bloom dedicated his life to the study of the Western Canon, advocating for a return to aesthetic values in literary criticism. His theories, notably "the anxiety of influence," posited that poets struggle against the overwhelming presence of their precursors, forging originality through a complex process of misprision. Bloom's profound engagement with canonical texts, particularly Shakespeare, formed the cornerstone of his critical edifice, often characterized by a a deep reverence for Shakespeare's unparalleled genius in "inventing the human."
The lecture series, "Shakespeare: The Seven Major Tragedies" (2005-2009) exemplifies Bloom's lifelong dedication to Shakespearean studies. In this comprehensive series, Bloom delves into what he considers the absolute pinnacle of Shakespeare's tragic output, arguing that these plays offer the most profound and enduring insights into the complexities of human nature, consciousness, and the sublime. For Bloom, Shakespeare's tragedies are not merely dramatic narratives but rather unparalleled explorations of the self, pushing the boundaries of human representation. He posits that Shakespeare's characters, particularly in these tragedies, possess an interiority and psychological depth that fundamentally reshaped Western understanding of individuality.
Bloom's approach to tragedy is deeply rooted in his belief in the aesthetic autonomy of literature. He resists reductive interpretations, whether historical, political, or sociological, insisting instead on the plays' intrinsic power and their capacity to illuminate the human condition through the sheer force of their language and characterization.
Lecture Series Order: "The Seven Major Tragedies" The series comprises 14 lectures, dedicating multiple sessions to the most complex and central tragedies:
SN - ARCHIVES RELEASE - Part I:
Lecture 1: Romeo and Juliet Focus: The invention of Juliet as the world's most impressive representation of a woman in love; the intensity and inevitability of youthful passion.
Lecture 2: Julius Caesar Focus: A drama of astonishing and perpetual relevance, exploring ambition, political power, and the fall of great men.
Lecture 3: Hamlet: Part I
Lecture 4: Hamlet: Part II
Lecture 5: Hamlet: Part III
Focus: Hamlet as the most brilliant mind in all of literature; the complexities of consciousness, indecision, and the nature of revenge.
SN - ARCHIVES RELEASE - Part II:
Lecture 6: Othello: Part I
Lecture 7: Othello: Part II
Focus: Iago as the archetype of villainy; the destructive power of jealousy and manipulation, and the tragic susceptibility of Othello.
Lecture 8: King Lear: Part I
Lecture 9: King Lear: Part II
Lecture 10: King Lear: Part III
Focus: The unparalleled emotional and intellectual demands of the play; the descent into madness, the nature of suffering, and the limits of human endurance.
Lecture 11: Macbeth: Part I
Lecture 12: Macbeth: Part II
Focus: A play of ruthless economy; the compelling, almost sympathetic portrayal of a mass murderer, and the psychological effects of ambition and guilt.
Lecture 13: Antony and Cleopatra: Part I
Lecture 14: Antony and Cleopatra: Part II
Focus: Shakespeare's creation of a vast political and historical conspectus; the mature and cynical view of love intertwined with imperial power struggles.
Copyright - All rights reserved to their respective owners.
Read the Complete Works of William Shakespeare Online: [ LINK ]Support Us - Donate Now !
Donations to Shakespeare Network Every contribution, however big or small, is so valuable for our future. We need your support to keep alive our educational program.
- Our gift of recognition for each donation: an audiobook from our collection specially selected for you.
- For donations of £50 or more you will receive our special edition including the Complete Plays of William Shakespeare: 38 fully dramatized audiobooks!
25% Direct support to website:
Keeping the Shakespeare Network websites online is about more than just servers. It also includes ongoing engineering improvements, product development, design and research, and legal support.
25% Administration and governance:
We manage funds and resources responsibly to recruit and support skilled, passionate staff who advance our communities and values.
Our operating budget:
Transparency is core to our organization. The Shakespeare Network develops our annual plan and operating budget through open processes, which are subject to feedback from our volunteers and
Board approval.
50% Direct support to communities:
Shakespeare Network projects exist thanks to the communities that create and maintain them. We strengthen these communities through grants, projects, and training programs.
Contact us for further info.
Harold Bloom (1930-2019): Sterling Professor of Humanities at Yale University and a former Charles Eliot Norton Professor at Harvard, Bloom dedicated his life to the study of the Western Canon, advocating for a return to aesthetic values in literary criticism. His theories, notably "the anxiety of influence," posited that poets struggle against the overwhelming presence of their precursors, forging originality through a complex process of misprision. Bloom's profound engagement with canonical texts, particularly Shakespeare, formed the cornerstone of his critical edifice, often characterized by a a deep reverence for Shakespeare's unparalleled genius in "inventing the human."
The lecture series, "Shakespeare: The Seven Major Tragedies" (2005-2009) exemplifies Bloom's lifelong dedication to Shakespearean studies. In this comprehensive series, Bloom delves into what he considers the absolute pinnacle of Shakespeare's tragic output, arguing that these plays offer the most profound and enduring insights into the complexities of human nature, consciousness, and the sublime. For Bloom, Shakespeare's tragedies are not merely dramatic narratives but rather unparalleled explorations of the self, pushing the boundaries of human representation. He posits that Shakespeare's characters, particularly in these tragedies, possess an interiority and psychological depth that fundamentally reshaped Western understanding of individuality.
Bloom's approach to tragedy is deeply rooted in his belief in the aesthetic autonomy of literature. He resists reductive interpretations, whether historical, political, or sociological, insisting instead on the plays' intrinsic power and their capacity to illuminate the human condition through the sheer force of their language and characterization.
Lecture Series Order: "The Seven Major Tragedies" The series comprises 14 lectures, dedicating multiple sessions to the most complex and central tragedies:
SN - ARCHIVES RELEASE - Part I:
Lecture 1: Romeo and Juliet Focus: The invention of Juliet as the world's most impressive representation of a woman in love; the intensity and inevitability of youthful passion.
Lecture 2: Julius Caesar Focus: A drama of astonishing and perpetual relevance, exploring ambition, political power, and the fall of great men.
Lecture 3: Hamlet: Part I
Lecture 4: Hamlet: Part II
Lecture 5: Hamlet: Part III
Focus: Hamlet as the most brilliant mind in all of literature; the complexities of consciousness, indecision, and the nature of revenge.
SN - ARCHIVES RELEASE - Part II:
Lecture 6: Othello: Part I
Lecture 7: Othello: Part II
Focus: Iago as the archetype of villainy; the destructive power of jealousy and manipulation, and the tragic susceptibility of Othello.
Lecture 8: King Lear: Part I
Lecture 9: King Lear: Part II
Lecture 10: King Lear: Part III
Focus: The unparalleled emotional and intellectual demands of the play; the descent into madness, the nature of suffering, and the limits of human endurance.
Lecture 11: Macbeth: Part I
Lecture 12: Macbeth: Part II
Focus: A play of ruthless economy; the compelling, almost sympathetic portrayal of a mass murderer, and the psychological effects of ambition and guilt.
Lecture 13: Antony and Cleopatra: Part I
Lecture 14: Antony and Cleopatra: Part II
Focus: Shakespeare's creation of a vast political and historical conspectus; the mature and cynical view of love intertwined with imperial power struggles.
Copyright - All rights reserved to their respective owners.
Read the Complete Works of William Shakespeare Online: [ LINK ]
Support Us - Donate Now !
Shakespeare Network - Educational Programme
Why Donate?
Donations to Shakespeare Network Every contribution, however big or small, is so valuable for our future. We need your support to keep alive our educational program.
- Our gift of recognition for each donation: an audiobook from our collection specially selected for you.
- For donations of £50 or more you will receive our special edition including the Complete Plays of William Shakespeare: 38 fully dramatized audiobooks!
25% Direct support to website:
Keeping the Shakespeare Network websites online is about more than just servers. It also includes ongoing engineering improvements, product development, design and research, and legal support.
25% Administration and governance:
We manage funds and resources responsibly to recruit and support skilled, passionate staff who advance our communities and values.
Our operating budget:
Transparency is core to our organization. The Shakespeare Network develops our annual plan and operating budget through open processes, which are subject to feedback from our volunteers and
Board approval.
50% Direct support to communities:
Shakespeare Network projects exist thanks to the communities that create and maintain them. We strengthen these communities through grants, projects, and training programs.
Contact us for further info.
