Notes on Shakespearean Comedy

Theory of Comedy

Comedy, particularly within the context of Shakespearean works, serves as a means to establish social harmony and repair the breakdown of social bonds typically seen in tragedy. While tragedy often explores themes of chaos, disunity, and societal collapse, comedy seeks to reinstate order and emotional balance among characters. It’s important to distinguish that tragedy and disaster, while related, are not synonymous—tragedies can unfold without descending into disastrous chaos, and it’s acknowledged that comedies can include bittersweet elements that elicit joy but also provoke reflection.

Characteristics of Comedy

Several key features define Shakespearean comedies:

  1. Range: Comedic works can vary from lowbrow humor to high intellectual wit, showing the breadth of societal depiction.

  2. Character Development: A common trajectory in comedies involves the reformation and education of younger characters, who often learn from conflicts and misunderstandings in their quest for love and fulfillment.

  3. Ceremonial Elements: Marriage serves as a central theme and is often used to symbolize resolution and the harmonization of conflicts within these narratives.

  4. Dialogue: Witty speeches characterized by exchanges of repartee and stichomythia (the rapid-fire dialogue) are hallmarks of comedic writing, promoting an atmosphere of playful competition among characters.

  5. Supernatural Influences: Elements such as fairies or magical interventions lend an additional layer of complexity, often intertwining dreams and reality.

  6. Optimistic Atmosphere: In general, there is a prevailing sense of optimism that pervades Shakespeare’s comedies, typically culminating in multiple marriages and a return to social order.

Thematic Elements in Shakespearean Comedy

  • Love and Human Folly: Comedic narratives often foreground love—true love and the follies that accompany it. Charles Chaplin poignantly noted that life can be perceived as a tragedy up close, yet unfolds with comedic underpinnings when viewed from a distance.

  • Outsiders and Scapegoats: Many comedic plots employ an outsider character who helps rid the community of flaws or evils through their mere presence or actions.

  • Accessible Joy: There is a recurrent suggestion of a heavenly place—such as Arden or Illyria—providing an escape from the social constructs of the time, encouraging characters to let go of the societal shackles.

  • Melancholic Underpinnings: Even with joyful resolutions, a shadow of nostalgia and longing for simpler times often lingers in the air, adding a level of depth to comedic experiences.

  • Women’s Wit: Female characters frequently emerge as clever and resourceful, often exerting influence and agency within the male-dominated narratives of the plays.

Subdivisions of Shakespearean Comedy

In broader scholarly discussions, Shakespeare's comedies are subdivided into themes or structural compositions. For instance, "green comedies", exemplified by "As You Like It", capture a spirit of optimism and festivals, focusing on the education of young lovers amid a backdrop of witty exchanges.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Contrasts and Themes

Shakespeare’s "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" serves as a central example in the discussion of these comedic elements. The dichotomy of the wild 'green wood' against the regulated world of Athens illustrates societal constraints versus personal freedom and chaos. The forest acts as a place of freedom but also embodies uncertainty where unpredictable and chaotic forces disrupt normalcy, reflecting deeper themes of desire and confusion poised against the backdrop of comedy.

Metatheatre and Self-Reflection

The concept of metatheatre emerges prominently in some of Shakespeare’s works. Prospero, in "The Tempest", is akin to a playwright within the narrative, controlling events as a director might, showcasing a layered self-reflection on the nature of theatre itself. This is enriched by various masques within the play and characters directly interacting with the audience, thus breaking the fourth wall and inviting them into the story’s unfolding.

Transformation and Identity

Character transformations illustrate the broader themes of identity and societal roles, such as Bottom's metamorphosis in "A Midsummer Night’s Dream", where he embodies the intersection of the fantastical and the absurd. This transformation has resonance with deeper societal examinations, often leading to humorous outcomes that reflect broader truths about humanity.

Conclusion: Complex Interplay of Elements

In conclusion, Shakespearean comedy intricately weaves together strands of humor, love, societal critique, and the transformative power of art, inviting audiences to engage with both the humor and the underlying messages expressed within the intricate frameworks of these timeless narratives. Shakespeare's comedies remain a rich field of study, inspiring discussions that span the intricacies of human behavior and societal norms to the nature of storytelling itself.