2. King Lear—The tragedy of filial ingratitude. Source: Holinshed. Synopsis of the plot and analysis of the chief characters. The three daughters as types. Read Act ii., Scene 4, enter Cornwall, Regan, Gloster, etc.; Act iii., first four scenes; Act iv., Scene 7.
3. Macbeth—The tragedy of guilt. Source: Holinshed's Chronicles of Scotland. Synopsis of the plot and analysis of the chief characters. Reading of the story of Macbeth from Holinshed. Shakespeare's use of the weird, illustrated by the witches. Feminine strength and masculine weakness shown in Lady Macbeth and her husband. Read Act i., Scene 3; Act v., Scene 1.
4. Othello—The tragedy of jealousy. Source: Cinthio's Hecatomithi. Synopsis of the plot and analysis of the chief characters. Shakespeare and Italy; local color. Novelty of the Moor as hero. Read Act iii., Scene 3, in part; Act v., Scene 2.
5. Julius Cæsar—The tragedy of ambition. Source: North's Translation of Plutarch. Reading from this. Synopsis of the plot and analysis of the chief characters. Admiration of Shakespeare for Cæsar, and frequent reference to him. Read whole of Act iii., also Act iv., Scene 1.
Books to Consult—Wood: Hamlet from a Psychological Point of View. Brereton: Some Famous Hamlets. Hall Caine: Richard III. and Macbeth. W. W. Skeat: Shakespeare's Plutarch.
Although every great tragedian has attempted the famous parts in Shakespeare's tragedies, some have stood out conspicuously for their interpretations. Study Kemble, Kean, Macready, Booth, Barrett, Irving, and Mansfield; also, Mrs. Siddons, Helen Faucit, Charlotte Cushman and Ellen Terry. Illustrate, if possible, with portraits in character, such as Booth as Hamlet, Mansfield as Cæsar, and Terry as Ophelia.
IV—TYPICAL COMEDIES
1. The Taming of the Shrew—An Italian play. Source in an older English play. Synopsis of the plot and analysis of the chief characters. Contrast between Katharine and Bianca. Read Act ii., Scene 1 (the dialogue between Katharine and Petruchio) and Act v., Scene 2.
2. Twelfth Night—Source: Bandello. Synopsis of the plot and analysis of the chief characters. Imaginative setting of the play in Illyria. Shakespeare's sense of fun. Rude humor of the time. Read Act ii., Scene 3, latter part.
3. The Merry Wives of Windsor—No definite source. Materials in Stratford life. Synopsis of the plot and analysis of the chief characters. A purely English play. The Falstaff of history compared with Shakespeare's representation of him. Falstaff here and elsewhere in Shakespeare. Note the possibility of the origin of this play in a request of Queen Elizabeth. Read Act iii., Scene 3.