The Catastrophe in Shakespearean Tragedy: Inaugural lecture delivered on 3.XI.1967

by Harold Jenkins

22 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1978

About the author

Harold Jenkins was one of the most distinguished Shakespeare scholars of the 20th century. He is best known for his monumental edition of Hamlet for the Arden Shakespeare series, published in 1982. This edition, which synthesizes the 1604 quarto and the 1623 folio versions into a single text, is widely recognized as a landmark in Shakespearean scholarship. Educated at University College London, Jenkins began his academic career in South Africa before returning to England, where he held positions at University College London, Westfield College, and later as Regius Professor at the University of Edinburgh. Over his long career, he wrote influential monographs, numerous essays, and edited several Elizabethan plays. As joint general editor of the Arden Shakespeare from 1958, he worked closely with leading scholars of his era. Jenkins was known for his scholarly rigor, editorial precision, and intellectual integrity. He was honored with fellowships from the British Academy and the Royal Society of Literature, and received the Shakespeare Prize in 1986. Remembered as a brilliant and engaging lecturer, Jenkins was also deeply admired for his generosity and charm. His legacy endures through his scholarly contributions and the profound influence he had on generations of students and colleagues.