A. Shakespeare's four greatest tragedies are: Hamlet, Othello, King Lear,Macbeth.

B. Each portrays somke noble hero, who faces the injustice of human life is caught in a difficult situation whose fate is closely connected with the fate of the whole nation.

C. Each hero has his weakness of nature: Hamlet, the melancholic scholar; Othello' s inner weakness is made use of by the outside evil force; the old king Lear who is unwilling to totally give up his power; Macbeth' s lust for power stirs up his ambition leads him to incessant crimes.