Shakespearean comedies

Shakespearean comedies

The comedies of Shakespeare do not belong to the same period of his dramatic career, nor are they identical in character and spirits. Thus 'The Merry wives of Windsor' differs from 'As You Like It' which in its turn differs from 'Measure for Measure'. Still there are some common characteristics which mark them alike.

The Romantic and Imaginary setting:

The comedies of Shakespeare are generally sets in natural and romantic surrounding, far away from the din and bustle of the city life. In his comedies Shakespeare transports us into the cloud-land of romance and beauty, lit by the light that hardly shines on land and the sea. An atmosphere of peace and tranquillity hangs over the comic world of Shakespeare. 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is set in a romantic forest near Athens. The setting of 'As You Like It' is in the forest of Arden. 'Twelfth Night' has the setting of the seacoast of Illyria.

The element of realism:

Though the setting and background of Shakespeare's comedies is romantic, its characters are more or less realistically drawn. It is true that some of his characters have romantic colouring but majority are true to life  and represent the manners and types of Elizabethan England. In 'As You Like It' Fredrick and Adam are respectively the typical brother and servant of the Elizabethan Age while the hero Orlando and the heroine Rosalind have strong romantic colouring. Shakespeare's comedies present a happy fusion of romance realism. The setting pulls it away from life, but characters and incidents draw it very close to life.

Humour:

Shakespearean comedy is characterized by a sharp difference between realism and romance; between character and setting. Shakespeare has bridged the difference with the use of humour which is a union of intellect and emotion. Humour in Shakespeare is always genial and sympathetic. He never laughs at his characters but laughs with them. He laughs genially even at the stupidity and pretension. Dowden says, " It is like the play of summer lightning which hurts no living creature but surprises, illuminates and charms."

Disguises: 

Disguises play a very important part in Shakespearean comedies and serve to intensify the romantic element of them. They appear not only in his early comedies but also in his mature comedies. In 'The Merchant of Venice' Portia outwits Shylock, saves the life of Antonio by putting on camouflage of a lawyer. Rosalind courts Orlando in the disguise of a youth in 'As You Like It'. The plot of 'Twelfth Night' rests on Viola's disguise.

Characterization:

The real excellence of Shakespearean comedy lies in the wealth of characterization. Shakespearean comedies are remarkable for plot, the presentation of intrigue or disguise. But everything is subordinated to characterization. Shakespeare is immortal for exploring the inner world of his characters. Shakespearean comedies use the dramatic means of disguise. But Shakespeare uses this technique to explore the inner depth of his characters. Portia's disguise expresses her intellectual brilliance, presence of mind and her sense of wit and humour.

The element of evil:

In Shakespearean comedy the comic element is softened by an element of evil or misfortune ultimately is conquered, but it casts a long shadow throughout the greater part of the story. In 'As You Like It' this evil occurs through the banishment of Duke and his daughter, Rosalind. In 'The Merchant of Venice' the evil appears in the form of signing the fatal bond.

The element of love:

Shakespearean comedy is predominantly a comedy of love. In the world of Shakespearean comedy love is an all-engrossing passion which does not spare even the fools and clowns. This love is love at first sight and it is causeless and overpowering. Love in Shakespeare is higher love and it has nothing to do with sex. It is a thing of the mind, not of the body.

Role of woman:

Women in Shakespearean comedies play a leading part. They dominate the action from the beginning to end and are always on the forefront. Before the dominating and commanding personalities of the woman, their male counterparts fade into insignificance. The gay, playful atmosphere of Shakespeare's comedy derives its being from the women. Women have endless fund of joyousness and vitality in them and they can keep their heads cool when everything is in a state of conclusion.

Role of clown:

Shakespeare's comedies introduce clowns who with their jesting lighten the serious tragic tone which predominates his comedies. They are the direct descendants of the character of vice in Morality Plays. They are dressed in motley costumes, which excite laughter. But these fools or clowns wear motley in their brain too. They have enough of good sense and reason in them.

The songs:

Shakespearean comedies are filled with melodious songs. These songs intensify the romantic background and add to the holiday/festive mood. They help the audience in visualizing the colourful background of the scenes.