Tragedies are dramatic works which focus on suffering and end unhappily. A common feature of tragedies is that the main character contributes in some way to his own downfall. William Shakespeare, a 16th century playwright and poet, penned some of the most famous tragedies, including the plays OTHELLO, THE MOOR OF VENICE; THE TRAGEDY OF HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK; KING LEAR; and THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH.