Much Ado about Nothing was written by William Shakespeare as a comedy, but it could have very well been turned into a tragedy comparable to Othello. In Othello, Desdemona becomes a leading part of Iago’s plot to take down Othello for not giving Iago the job that he wanted. At first Iago insinuates and makes innuendos to Othello that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio, and Othello doesn’t believe Iago. Othello says “Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore, Be sure of it; give me the ocular proof; or, by the worth of mine eternal soul, thou hadst been better have been born a dog than answer my wak’d wrath”(3.3.360-364). Desdemona accidentally drops a handkerchief that Othello had given her.
Those types of jokes can be funny even if they are a little offensive as a woman. Also some jokes, like those dealing with rape or the Holocaust, actually reinforces our disdain for that act. We laugh at the ridiculousness of the joke and then kind of go “ohhhh” and think more in depth at the
In Shakespeare’s play, ‘King Lear’, we are shown an array of characters that are multi-dimensional and extremely complex. Shakespeare has the ability to reveal a human character with an exceptional use of language. The three characters that I believe have large roles and functions within the play are, understandably, King Lear himself, The Fool, and Kent. The Fool acts as Lear's conscience and trusted guide, yet he is also a critic of Lear, a truth teller. In effect this makes a true friend, however some believe it was the Fool's constant remarks that drove Lear to madness.
How does Shakespeares use of disguise and misinterpretation of human nature link to comedy? In Much Ado about Nothing; Shakespeare uses disguise and misinterpretation through comedy to present human nature in different aspects. Shakespeare’s use of misinterpretations shapes the play and makes it pleasurable for the audience as well as entertaining. There is perplexity between lovers, the encounter of sexes, and the restoration of love and marriage. Shakespeare uses incessant word play, and constant mockery between key characters to portray the comedic effect.
“The use of deception underpins the comedy of the play ‘Much Ado About Nothing’.” Discuss the validity of this statement Within Much Ado About Nothing, deception is a major underlying theme, and it can be split quintessentially into two categories; being used with positive intentions (such as the deception of Beatrice and Benedick), or negative intentions (the deception of Claudio by Don John) with techniques such as contrast and noting, which are used both positively and negatively. However, the resolution of the play rely on the deception being unmasked, but some may argue that this means the play still relies on the use of deception to keep the plot flowing. Shakespeare develops the idea of deception in Act 1 Scene 1, when Don Pedro decides to woo Hero for Claudio, “If thou dost love fair Hero, cherish it, and I will break with her, and with her father, and thou shalt have her.” The author is showing us from the very beginning that Hero’ and Claudio’s relationship is weak, as Claudio cannot even woo the woman he “loves”. Shakespeare is also commenting on the patriarchal Elizabethan society by saying that Don Pedro will speak with her father as well as her, as if he has more say in whom she loves than Hero herself. The word have is also used to suggest that women are objects to be owned, rather than an equal to love.
John sees a serious person as anxious and solemn while humorous person as relaxed, cheerful and dissatisfied. Therefore, Harvey argues that the individual approach humor and asses its value according to their approach to life. Therefore, individual approach to humor is unsuitable because expressing a sense of humor is a social act and how other people are involved in this humor is very essential (Harvey 26). Additionally, intentional humor incorporates the initiator, the audience and the subject of the joke. Therefore, humor is a chancy dealing because its succession relies on the response of the desired audience.
The Importance of Being Earnest appears to be a conventional 19th century farce. False identities, prohibited engagements, domineering mothers, lost children are typical of almost every farce. However, this is only on the surface in Wilde's play. His parody works at two levels- on the one hand he ridicules the manners of the high society and on the other he satirises the human condition in general. The characters in The Importance of Being Earnest assume false identities in order to achieve their goals but do not interfere with the others' lives.
In many of William Shakespeare’s plays, moments of tragedy and tension are lightened by the interruption of comical characters. These characters are referred to as the “Shakespearean fool”. The reoccurring presence of such personalities captivated the audience of the Elizabethan era as it made them laugh. Shakespeare employed the use of humor as means to avoid a dismal atmosphere. This was most effective when the storyline became too serious, as it provided comic relief.
Madness in Hamlet and King Lear The subject of madness is a major theme in two of Shakespeare’s most well-known tragedies, “Hamlet” and “King Lear”. In both of these plays, a character feigns insanity to carry out a motive - Hamlet and Edgar respectively. However, while it is made quite clear to the audience that Edgar is only pretending to be a mad beggar (“Whiles I may escape I will preserve myself, and am bethought to take the basest and most poorest shape that ever penury, in contempt of man brought near to beast”), it is somewhat less clear whether Hamlet has crossed the line and lost control of his “antic disposition”. Shakespeare gives evidence which suggests that Hamlet is sane by having three other men also witness the manifestation of the ghost of Hamlet’s father. If Hamlet were to have seen his father’s ghost by himself, there would be a greater argument for him being insane from the outset of the play.
Shakespeare's Presentation of Othello as Responsible for his Own Downfall Shakespeare’s Othello consists of the themes betrayal, love and dishonesty. At the centre of this play is the tragic downfall of Othello at the hands of his so called friend Iago. In this essay I will be discussing the reasons for and against Othello being responsible for his downfall through looking at critical interpretations of his character and actions. In some ways you could say that Othello was highly responsible for his own downfall as he was easily manipulated by Iago showing him to be gullible and naïve. Iago manipulates Othello by making him suspicious through inference, “Ha I like not that”.