Bring out the salient
features of Shakespearean comedy.
Ans. Shakespearean
comedy is totally different from traditional comedies. The Shakespearean comedy
does not made an appeal so much to the intelligence as to the heart of man. Its
primary aim is neither satire nor a correction of the evils prevalent in our
society. It moves in a world quite different from the world of satire and moral
reform. It aims at giving pleasure and joy. It is poetic. It is not
conservative it is creative. The way of it-is that of imagination rather than
that of pure reason. It is an artist's Vision, not a critic's exposition.
Shakespearean comedies are classified into four categories
(i)
Romantic comedies, romanticism,
(ii)
Lighter comedies,
(iii)
Dark comedies.
(iv)
Comedies free from
Another classification
of Shakespearean comedies has been (i) Early comedies (ii) Middle comedies and
(iii) Late comedies
In the early comedies
the comic quality arises chiefly from the language to the dialogue, from the
Wit and humour of the speeches, the sharpness of repartee and a peculiar manner
of expression called Euphuism.
In the middle comedies the motive lies a
little deeper and comic situation and comic characters from the essence of the
comedy
In the last of group of
comedies , the tone and sprit undergoes a change and instead of the happy and
joyous atmosphere of the earlier comedies there is a certain bitterness and
cynicism in these last plays.
The best example of the
early comedies of Shakespeare is Love,s Labour's Lost, the middle comedy is
best represented by Twelfth Night and As You Like It and the example of his late
comedy is The Tempest.
Some salient features
of the Shakespearean Comedy : Shakespeare's early
comedies show the experiments of the dramatist with various literary elements.
In the Comedy of Errors the form is ostensibly Roman satire, wit and literary
quality dominates Love's Labour's Lost, while in Much Ado About Nothing plot
predominates. In the Merry Wives of Windsor, we find a very bourgeois settling,
where as in The Merchant of Venice the character of Shylock looms large over
everything else. Some of the salient features of the Shakespearean comedy are
described below.
i)The
Element of Realism: The background and atmosphere of
Shakespearean comedy are generally romantic and utopian but "life keeps
hovering over it and enters into it." Thus the main feature of
Shakespeare's romantic comedy is the beautiful combination of realism and
fancy. The characters of Shakespearean comedies though living in a world of
romance are drawn from the world of men and women. The characters are not of
the world of the fairy land. They have their existence in the world of sorrows
and sufferings.
ii)The
Role of women: One of the most important features of
Shakespearean comedy in that women play an important role. If we analyze the
comedies of Shakespeare, we shall find that they are governed and dominated by
heroines rather than by' heroes. Ruskin says, " Shakespeare has no heroes,
he has only heroines." This is very much true in the case of the comedies.
The women have all the gifts Of inspiring and of returning affection. In fact,
Shakespeare was a great artist of women, women of all ranks and ages from the
queen to the dairy maid—and from fifteen to fifty.
iii)Humor:
Shakespearean comedies abound in humour of all kinds• There is the farcical
humour of the clown, the humour of character' the humour of situation and wit
and humour of the highest kind. His varied humour is skillfully blended with
pathos and so its effect is further heightened by contrast. Satire is almost
absent in his plays. On the whole, his humour is tolerant, sympathetic, genial
and sparkling, lively, polished and cultured. It is totally devoid of cynicism.
iv)
portrait of life in Optimistic aspects: In the world of
Shakespearean comedy, the picture of life is optimistic and sunnier. These
comedies 'raise no problems'. They sweeten our feelings towards humanity.
v)Aspect
comedy of love: The Shakespeare's atmosphere is
romantic full of the comedy genial spirit is basically of love and the friendship.
Love is the main motive force of Romantic comedy like As you Like It
vi)Moral
Note: Shakespearean comedy is somewhat paradoxical. It
does not preach any moral. But indirectly and unconsciously it teaches a good
deal of morality. Under the humour and fun of his comedies, there flows a deep
current of moral lesson.
vii) Fools and clowns:
Fools and clowns play prominently in the comedies of Shakespeare, but they are
really wise men. In fact they teach wisdom and intelligence under the grab of
foolery.
viii) Blending of pathos and Joy:
Shakespeare combines pathos and joy in his comedies. Tragic element is
introduced but it ends with a note of joy. For example, The Tempest, The
Merchant of Venice etc.
ix)Music
and songs: Music and songs are the breath of Shakespearean
comedy. For example As you Like It and The Tempest.
x)Characterization:
in
delineation of character, Shakespeare stands unrivalled in English literature.
His men and women are drawn from every walk, age and station of life, kings,
Lords, general, warriors, common people, drunkard, cut-throats, thieves,
robbers, cowards, clowns, saints, sinners, men, women, children, all walk
across the stage of Shakespeare.
In conclusion, we can
say that the comedies of Shakespeare are loved and liked by the audience and
readers. He is admirable for his humanity. After all Shakespearean comedies are
large hearted in their conception, sympathetic In their tone and humanitarian
in their idealism. All these features are immortal to the Shakespearean
comedies.
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