Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III: The Tragedies

This volume brings listeners into the mind of one of the eighteenth‑century’s most incisive critics as he wrestles with Shakespeare’s great tragedies. Samuel Johnson’s notes reveal a curious mix of vivid childhood awe—recalling the terror of Hamlet’s ghost and the heartbreak of Cordelia’s death—and a cool, analytical distance that leaves many scenes unremarked. The editor’s introduction weaves these reactions into a larger picture of Johnson’s early literary formation and his habit of labeling some plays “imperial tragedies” while reserving deeper feeling for works like Timon.

Beyond the personal reflections, the commentary opens a window onto the cultural assumptions of Johnson’s time, especially the period’s acceptance of witchcraft and supernatural agency in drama. Listeners will hear detailed examinations of passages from Macbeth, Hamlet, and King Lear, accompanied by explanations of how contemporary audiences understood enchantment and probability. The collection balances literary scholarship with vivid anecdotes, offering both a historical tour of 18th‑century criticism and fresh reasons to listen closely to Shakespeare’s most haunting scenes.