I think that the critical concept of Desire would be interesting because desire can move along a plot and character development in a play. Desire can either lead to bad or good outcomes because it is individual and can be selfishly drawn. Without having any previous experience reading plays or even associating one concept with a text, I think that desire is the most interesting because it's usually hidden, or someone can feel guilty of having certain desires and because it moves people towards their goal. I think it can give a lot of insight in personal attitudes, especially that of the time period Shakespeare was writing. I am speculating, but desire in moving up in social or political status, or desiring something or someone below your status, or desiring a more utopian world.. whatever the case may be Shakespeare can use desire to give a good understanding of what people may have really wanted instead of what they thought they should want. In his earlier works, I think that it will be a plot driver, but maybe as his writings become more secure and as he becomes more popular ( again I'm speculating because I have zero experience with Shakespeare or plays in general) he could use desire in more general ways about societal norms and trying to break away from that idea. Desire can also be used as in desiring an individual, rather than an idea. Desire has much more depth than lust. Desire is something to wish to attain, not possess and experience in the way of lust. In this way, desire can be more consuming because it is not just one part of the body a person wants, but the entire thing, almost like possessing their essences. Also, in terms of regret, desire can be used in order to describe certain feelings of loss, maybe Shakespeare uses this with the sense of loss of monarchy, or desire of looking back at old English ideas of chivalry. In any case, desire has a lot of meaning and a lot of different ways to explain or view an individual or groups desire for something, if either material or non material. Already in "Comedy of Errors," there is a desire for family and for a hierarchical order with slaves, masters, markets and merchants, and men and wives. Desire is a good solid theme that can be used in for broad to very narrow ideas. It deals with inner, maybe guilty, pleasures or can be a groups desire for status. I look foreword to working with this idea and focusing my attention on this concept.
Desire (n)
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You're absolutely right that desire is a powerful and multilateral motivator for action. As such it's a key ingredient in drama: it makes things happen. I also like your attention to the difference between what people desire and what they think they should desire. This is an important question, especially in a context where social roles are so stridently proscribed. When does desire matter? When doesn't it?
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