William Hazlitt investigates the psychological depth and moral complexity of Shakespeare’s most iconic characters to determine how they reflect the universal human condition. Hazlitt, a prominent 19th-century essayist and critic, utilizes his deep familiarity with the theatrical tradition and his own philosophical framework to analyze the motivations and internal conflicts of figures ranging from Hamlet to Iago. He argues that Shakespeare’s genius lies in his ability to create characters that possess an independent existence beyond the confines of the stage.

Scholars frequently cite this work as a foundational text in Romantic-era literary criticism due to its subjective and passionate engagement with the source material. Readers often note the dense, eloquent prose style that reflects the intellectual standards of the 19th century.