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Shakespeare's Best Tragedies, pt 1

William Shakespeare, the poet and playwright, the mythic Bard of Avon. His plays have been translated into every major living language and they are performed more often than any playwright. He is called England's poet. And his body of work is extensive. His status as one of the most laureate writers of all time has also caused that his life is all but a mystery to scholars and literature academics. He wrote sonnets, narrative poems and a couple of comedies, but his most intriguing and luring work have undeniably been his tragedies. Topic of many discussions are which is the best one, there are really so many to choose from and they are all brilliant by themselves, but here we present to you a suggested list of Shakespeare's best tragedies.

10- Cymbeline

Also known as Cymbeline, King of Britain or The Tragedy of Cymbeline. This is one of the Bard's lesser known works. It is based on legends concerning the early Celtic British King Cunobelinus. Although listed as a tragedy, modern critics insist to classify this play as a Romance. It deals with the themes of innocence and jealousy, like he also did with Othello and The Winter's Tale. The precise date of composition remains to this date, unknown.

9- Coriolanus

T. S. Elliot said that this tragedy was superior than Hamlet. It was writter between 1605 and 1608. The play is based on the life of the legendary Roman leader, Gaius Marcius Coriolanus. Built in a larger scale than his other plays. Coriolanus is one of the most opaque characters in Shakespeare's tragedies. He rarely pauses for soliloquies or reveal his motives. Many readers and playgoers have often found him unsympathetic.

8- Antony and Cleopatra

Believed to been written sometime between 1603 and 1607. It follows the relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony from the time pf the Parthian War to Cleopatra's suicide. Her role is a subject of much discussions by critics. She is one of Shakespeare's most complex female roles. The plot and how her situation is portrayed there are many possible interpretations on the outcome of the actions, as well as her motives and the nature of her relationship with Antony. This play could be regarded as continuation of "Julius Caesar", another great Shakespeare tragedy

7- Troilus and Cressida

It has been described by some critics as a problem play, although its most known as one of the Bard's lesser known tragedies. This play has been noted as a difficult to perceive by theater-goers, because of its complex shifts between a comedy and tragic gloom. The play also have often been viewed as "modern", since its normal to feel mixed emotions on how to respond to the characters in the play. The play is set during the later years of the Trojan war, Shakespeare faithfully followed the plot line of the Illiad from Achilles' refusal to participate in battle to Hector's death.

6- Julius Caesar

Written in 1599, this tragedy portrays the conspiracy against the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar. Despite the play's title, Caesar is not the central character in its action, the main character is Marcus Brutus and his struggle between the the demands of honor, patriotism and friendship. Many historians have pointed that this play echoes the anxiety of England over the succession of leadership after Queen Elizabeth. The play's depiction of friendship and the concept of duty and betrayal marks as one of the greatest work Shakespeare ever wrote.