His comedy is so great that he is able to transcend normal societal rules; Elizabethan England was an incredibly hierarchal society in which absolute respect ought to be shown to those in power, and yet although he is a servant, the Fool’s humorous nature seems to exempt him from the expectation of respectfulness. The Fool is not present after Act 3, and his absence removes the comic relief of the play and plunges it into more serious,
I find Moliere’s play, Tartuffe, to be entertaining for the underlying message of historical hypocrisy which it sheds to light. After reading the comedy of Tartuffe, I can only agree that it is an intellectual whirlwind of classical genius which tantalizes even the modern mind by echoing to us the importance of scrutinizing the narratives and analyzing the flaws and follies alike which are evident even within our own era. Tartuffe stands out to me because of the power that resonated from the creation of this societal satire and the fact that unlike other works of the era which were forced to fall in line with a strict code of adherence generated by the aristocracy of the classical era, this piece served as a direct challenge to the narrative
Moliere was a french play writer and actor who was considered to be one of the greatest masters of comedy in Western literature. Moliere wrote two types of plays: the farcical comedies and high comedies, it is very clear that Tartuffe falls into the comedy of character. Commedia Dell'arte is a form of theatre characterized by masked types which began in Italy in the 16th century and was responsible for the advent of the actress and improvised performances based on sketches or scenarios and is the craft of improvisation. The characters that Moliere created seemed ridiculous because they deviate from decorum and the rules of Neoclassicism. The characters IL Capitano and Tartuffe both display similar characteristics in terms of them both being pretenious, cowardly liars that are very hypocritical.
‘Comedy involves men of middling estate; its perils are small scale, its outcomes peaceful’. To what extent do you agree with this definition of comedy in relation to Much Ado about Nothing*? Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing is one of the most popular comedies in history, selling out Shakespearean theatres until their closure in 1642. The comedy is thought to be written in 1598 and is often described as a ‘problem play’ meaning it shares tendencies with that of a tragedy. Of course MAAN follows Shakespeare’s traditional comedy structure but modern critics have their own agenda that a comedy, being such a complex genre, should conform to.
It is suggested by this then that the play holds no deeper meaning or message of morality; it is simply designed to fulfill a purpose through usage of traditional comedic techniques. However, some have interpretated themes of sexuality and a gentle mocking of Victorian customs ultimately leaving the play open to assumption. The Importance of being Earnest certainly maintains many traits of a great comedy of manners, "A comedy that satirizes behaviour in a particular social group"(dictionary.com). In fact many people have hailed it as "the greatest stage comedy of all time", this triumph supports the viewpoint that Wilde merely succeeded in entertaining his audience rather than channeling a deeper understanding. The use of slapstick by Wilde produces a contrived and absurd plotline that is in every way unrealistic.
People cannot deny the fact that Stanley Kowalski is a fascinating character. We see him as romantic but at the same time as dominant and brutish. We like him but also recoil from him because of things he does. We admire his strength and physical attributes but detest his cruelty and ignorance. It is inevitable that these opposing views of the character add to his essence in the play.
People thought that Brown’s irony was sharp, his ideas were exciting, and he was not only and protestor of his time but one of the first times. Brown’s Work protested the classical folklore in the way it was written. “He infused his poetry with genuine characteristic flavor by adopting his medium geniality and optimism” was James Johnson reaction to his
Largely a creature of words, Falstaff has earned the admiration of some Shakespearean scholars because of the self-creation he achieves through language: Falstaff is constantly creating a myth of Falstaff, and this myth defines his identity even when it is visibly revealed to be false. A master of punning and wordplay, Falstaff provides most of the comedy in the play (just as he does in 2 Henry IV, The Merry Wives of Windsor, and Henry V). He redeems himself largely through his real affection for Prince Harry, whom, despite everything, he seems to regard as a real friend. This affection makes Harry’s
Both Jack and Algernon are admired by two young ladies who mistakenly believe the men's names to be Ernest, and who adore the men for this very reason. In relating the story of mix-ups and mistaken identities, the ideals and manners of the Victorian society are satirized in a comedy where the characters "treat all the trivial things of life seriously and all the serious things of life with sincere and studied triviality" (Wilde back cover), in the words of the author himself. Oscar Wilde’s comical scenes often take their source in social satire and non-conformism (Baselga 15). Throughout his play, In The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde satirizes education, women, and morality. Oscar Wilde satirizes the British education by using Lady Bracknell.
The sentimental elements and the unsentimental malice a livelier, more dramatic impression from their contrast: and the contrast itself makes the dolling life of the play more interesting to an audience. There is plenty in the play to interest men and women of a refined and idle society and plenty more to amuse men and women of a coarser type and as for the idealist and the dreaming lover – they have food enough and to spare. Music and love and high courtesies interchanged in courtly gardens are jollity and practical jokes and a riot of laughter. Although there are a few blemishes in the dramatic technique of Twelfth Night, it is superior in the point of delight and in its comic aspect to the other comedies of Shakespeare. The platonic love is consummately represented in the Derke.