the tragedies

As far as tragedies go I've read Macbeth, Hamlet, and Romeo and Juliet (but honestly... who hasn't read that?). Macbeth and Hamlet being the designated hitters of the tragedies I can make a fair comment on the genre. As far as my liking Shakespeare goes I think that I like his tragedies the most. One of the things Shakespeare does best in his plays is develop characters relatively quickly. Although done fast, it is done very well, and this is why Shakespeare's plays can be very entertaining when put on well. Character development is particularly important when it comes to the tragedies. The characters in Shakespeare's tragedies generally start out likable. Macbeth seems like a decent guy; he's worshipped on the battlefield; his friends love him; the king loves him; the only one who seems to dislike him is his own wife. Hamlet too. He's not a guy that people loathe (like Richard) and he's even those who sort of betray him do so not completely intentionally. The fact that these characters are attractive to the audience. The fact that they are likable, not only allows characters in the play to form bonds with them but also members of the audience.

This is why Shakespeare's tragedies are so sad. The audience likes the person/people that are eventually going to fall. Macbeth has morals to begin with, Hamlet is pretty charismatic, and Romeo and Juliet are lovers. The audience can't like better characters. And sort of shadowing the Greek tragic hero they are all destined to fall. Shakespeare's tragedies are good and can be hail as possibly his best because of how they suck you in, and leave you empty when they're done. It is the sad side of life, they aren't the happy endings. But are they an eye opener and an entertainer as well? You bet.