Shakespearean Comdedies

While reading an assortment of Shakespearean Comedies, one can see that many contain very similar aspects. Shakespeare understood what was needed to build plot, keep his audiences entertained, and ultimately in a comedy, to make them laugh.

Passage Comparasion.

A technique that was used in Shakespeare's writing was putting two extreme emotions side-by-side in the same scene to make the dialogue more comedic. This technique can be seen in A Midsummer-Night's Dream in Act III Scene ii. While Lysander is complimenting Helena with phrases such as "Gentle Helena...my love, my life, my soul, fair Helena!" and "Helen, I love thee; by my life I do," he then expresses his extreme disgust for Hermia in phrases such as "Out, loathed medicine! hated potion, hence!" and "Get gone, you dwarf; you minimus, of hindering knot-grass made; you bead, you acorn."

The two opposite extremes of language that Lysander uses proves to be humorous to the audience because they know that Lysander truly loves Hermia and does not like Helena. Lysander declares his love so confidently, even though the audience knows that it is just because of the fairy potion that Lysander is acting this way. It is important for Lysander to express a more extreme dislike towards Hermia because the insults he throws at her are not only entertaining, but are important for comedic effect because the audience knows that Lysander and Hermia were once lovers. Although the insults are offensive, it still has a light-hearted effect because without the aide of fairy magic, Lysander really does not mean those things. Having Lysander express his annoyance and dislike for Hermia makes the scene much more entertaining than having him just ignore her and focus his attention on Helena. The scene would lose it's humor if only love for Helena was expressed; it is insulting people that never fails to make the audience laugh.

The extreme opposite exchanging of words shows up again in another one of Shakepeare's comedies, The Taming of the Shrew. Act II Scene i is where Kate and Petruchio meet for the first time. Kate is spitting out insults to Petruchio, calling him names such as "swain," and "crab." But every insult that Kate gives him, Petruchio throws it right back as a compliment. He even states at one point "I find you very passing gentle. 'Twas told me you were rough and coy and sullen, and now I find report a very liar; for thou art pleasant. gamesome, passing courteous, but slow in speech, yet sweet as spring time flowers." The contrast of the ways that they talk to each other proves to be quite humorous. The strong language through out the passage makes it much more interesting. The passage would have been much more passive and boring if Shakespeare did not have a contrast of two extreme opposite feelings. Again, the play on words is funny, as is the insults that Kate provides.

Shakespeare knew the comedic elements that made the audiences entertained and laugh. The contrast of two extreme opposite emotions never failed to do both. This is why he included them in many of his comedies.

Comedy Commentary

There are many similar plot elements that occur in comedies. In regards to the plays A Midsummer-Night's Dream, The Taming of the Shrew, and The Tempest, love is very prominent. In every play there are characters that fall in love with each other.
All the plays end with weddings and celebration. A wedding is a happy time where people are brought together and express their love; there is not a happier note to end a comedy on. By ending the plays happily, the audience can leave the theater with a smile on their face, which is the ultimate goal of a comedy.

The structure of the plots also have similarities. There are usually always a "blocking figure," or a character who gets in the way of the main character obtaining or accomplishing their main goals. This was seen in A Midsummer-Night's Dream with Egeus. Egeus was blocking Hermia and Lysander from being together. Because of Egeus, the two lover's found themselves in the forest where magic and faeries become the main substance of the plot. In The Taming of the Shrew Kate is the blocking figure between Bianca and Lucentio. Bianca and Lucentio cannot be together until Kate is married first, thus driving the plot forward. In the The Tempest, Prospero sets up certain obstacles before he will allow Ferdinand and his daughter Miranda to marry. Each example of blocking characters is blocking two lovers from being together, again emphasizing the importance of love and romance in Shakespearean comedies.

The comedies have five acts in each of them as well. Although the importance of having five acts is not apparent, it is still a part of what makes a Shakespearean comedy a comedy.


Personal Reflection:

I very much enjoyed reading the Shakespearean comedies. The plots were always light-hearted and the evident word play made me laugh. I really enjoyed the stories and they were a fun read. Shakespeare knows how to make a successful play and how to keep his audiences entertained, even years after they were written. Shakespeare knows the true nature of human enjoyment.