Shakespeare's tragedies are renowned for their poignant portrayal of human struggle and suffering. Though the Bard himself may have referred to them simply as plays, these 17 works have come to be known as tragedies, a term that describes a form of literature that explores the darkest aspects of human experience. While Shakespeare's tragedies are iconic in their own right, there are many other ways to describe these works. Some might use words like dramas, plays, or even Shakespearean sorrow to denote the profound despair and sadness that often color these stories. Others may prefer less formal terms like tearjerkers or heartbreakers to capture the emotional intensity of these plays. Ultimately, whatever term one uses to describe Shakespeare's tragedies, their impact on literature and culture is undeniable.