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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.

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A significant audiovisual production of Hamlet in 1990 featured Kevin Kline in the titular role. This production originated as a highly acclaimed stage version for Joseph Papp's New York Shakespeare Festival, directed by Kline himself, and was subsequently filmed for television as part of PBS's "Great Performances" series. Aired on November 2, 1990, this filmed stage production offered a minimalist yet powerful interpretation, emphasizing the actors' performances and Shakespeare's language over elaborate sets. Kline's Hamlet was noted for its thoughtful, often quiet intensity, allowing the character's internal turmoil to resonate deeply. This production, co-directed by Kevin Kline and Kirk Browning for television, allowed a broader audience to witness a compelling theatrical interpretation, highlighting the enduring relevance and interpretive possibilities of Shakespeare's masterpiece in a contemporary setting.



CAST
Hamlet: Kevin Kline
Claudius: Brian Murray
Gertrude: Dana Ivey
Polonius: Josef Sommer
Ophelia: Diane Venora
Laertes: Michael Cumpsty
Horatio: Peter Francis James
Rosencrantz: Phillip Goodwin
Guildenstern: Reg E. Cathey
Ghost/Priest: Robert Murch
Player King/Lord: Clement Fowler
Player Queen/Lady-in-Waiting: Tanny McDonald
Fortinbras: Don Reilly
Osric: Leo Burmester
Francisco/Gravedigger/Player: MacIntyre Dixon
Bernardo/Lucianus: Rene Raymond Rivera
Marcellus/Sailor/Player: Bill Camp
Norwegian Captain/Soldier: Larry Green Servant/Messenger: Erik Knutsen

Directed by: Kevin Kline

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Othello - Gordon Heath - Rosemary Harris - Paul Rogers - SN Archives - 1955 - Remastered 2025



CAST
Gordon Heath ... Othello
Rosemary Harris ... Desdemona
Paul Rogers ... Iago
Daphne Anderson ... Emilia
Edmund Willard ... Brabantio
Robert Hardy ... Cassio
Nigel Davenport ... Lodovico
Patrick Wymark ... Montano
Billie Whitelaw ... Bianca
Milton Rosmer ... Gratiano
James Maxwell ... Roderigo
George Skillan ... Duke of Venice

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Leo Tolstoy`s masterpiece has been adapted many times for film and television, but never with such care and attention to detail. Made by the BBC (10 Episodes - Series), this definitive version first aired on Masterpiece Theatre in 1977 and has been a fan favorite ever since.



Set in Imperial Russia in the 1870s, this is an epic tale of passion, betrayal, society, and the search for happiness. Nicola Pagett (Upstairs, Downstairs) stars as Anna - young, beautiful, and trapped in a loveless marriage to the high-minded, much older Karenin (Eric Porter, The Forsyte Saga). When she meets debonair cavalry officer Count Vronsky (Stuart Wilson, The Age of Innocence) on a Moscow train platform, she can`t resist looking back.

Anna Karenina is a novel by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy, first published in book form in 1878. Tolstoy called it his first true novel. It was initially released in serial installments from 1875 to 1877, all but the last part appearing in the periodical The Russian Messenger. By the time he was finishing up the last installments, Tolstoy was in an anguished state of mind and, having come to hate it, finished it unwillingly.

The novel deals with themes of betrayal, faith, family, marriage, Imperial Russian society, desire, and the differences between rural and urban life. The story centres on an extramarital affair between Anna and cavalry officer Count Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky that scandalises the social circles of Saint Petersburg and forces the young lovers to flee to Italy in a search for happiness, but after they return to Russia, their lives further unravel.

Watch Part I - Episodes 1-3: https://youtu.be/fU5E0Bj-PEs
Watch Part II - Episodes 4-6: https://youtu.be/BOmDmYOlJB4
Watch Part III - Episodes 7-10: https://youtu.be/x0x76TtqIpY


Cast
Nicola Pagett - Anna Karenina
Stuart Wilson - Vronsky
Davyd Harries - Stiva
Carole Nimmons - Dolly
Eric Porter - Karenin
Robert Swann - Levin
Caroline Langrishe - Kitty
Marilyn Le Conte - Annushka
Paul Spurrier - Seriozha
Sheila Gish - Princess Betsy
Patricia Lawrence - Princess Shcherbatsky
Geoffrey Toone - Prince Shcherbatsky
David Gwillim - Petritsky
Margot Van der Burgh - Lydia
April Walker - Paula
Mary Morris - Countess Vronsky
Anna Wing - Agafea

Directed by Basil Coleman

Copyright - All rights reserved to their respective owners.

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a) Become a Member: Please choose your membership level and provide recurring support for our Education Programs, Archives, and In-house Productions - Direct Link: [ LINK ]


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Why Donate?