is laid upon your hate That heaven finds means to kills yours joys with love” (V, iii, 291-293) “For there never was a story of more woe, then this of Juliet and her Romeo” (V, iii, 309-310) Tragedy- Reinforced by the death of Mercutio as it is seen by Levin as quite an ironic end, as he has been the satirist- “represents the play moving from Romantic comedy to Romantic tragedy.” Comparing Comedy & Tragedy- Tragedy tends to isolate where comedy bring together, to reveal the uniqueness of individuals rather than what they have in common with others. Examples have been shown with the progression of Juliet whom begun in tragic settings as an only child mother “But one, poor one, one poor, and loving child” (IV, v. 46) whilst Romeo friar reflects on then as “two in one” (II.iv.37) yet again when taking the potion “my dismal scene I needs must act alone.” (IV.iii. 19) reflected in the setting of each of them dying
Othello says to her “It gives me wonder great as my content to see you here before me. O my soul’s joy!” (2.1.199-200). These beautiful and loving words are soon changed to hostility and rage with the thought of Desdemona’s betrayal. Both Desdemona and Hero are accused of being unfaithful through presented “ocular proof”, they are both disgraced by the leading male role, and they are young and inexperienced in the ways of love and both women are extremely forgiving after they have been mistreated by their suitors. 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.
Charles Lamb states that Malvolio “becomes comic by accident”. His criticism portrays Malvolio as a tragic character. Lamb describes Malvolio’s dialect as “that of a gentleman, and a man of education.” Predisposed with Malvolio’s dialect and seemingly noble manner is hubris which leads to his downfall in the play. In Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’, Malvolio is not a tragic character but, the fool of the play in that he is a scapegoat for mockery and entertainment. Aristotle in ‘Poetics’ defined comedy as “an imitation of inferior people-not, however, with respect to every kind of defect; the laughable species of what is disgraceful.
Iago feels that the best way to do so is by manipulating Othello telling him that his wife is cheating on him with Cassio, who Iago coincidently hates as well. Iago reveals, “That thinks men honest that but seem to be so, and will as tenderly be led by the nose as asses are. I have ‘t. it is sengender’d. Hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to the worlds light” (Shakespeare 1.
This, to the audience, will seem ridiculous and unnecessary creating a subtle sense of humour. Nearing the end of Act 2 we learn about Viola’s plans for her disguise in order to appear less vulnerable. She then goes on to say ‘thou shalt present me as an Eunuch to him’ which will yet again appear an overdramatic act to the audience. In act 3, Sir Toby Belch is introduced into the play. Shakespeare’s wit and word play used even for simply just the names of the characters can build up laughter.
Hamlet in his first soliloquy demonstrates his disgust that his mother has allied herself in love and in politics with her late husband’s brother, so soon after his death, “frailty, thy name is woman... to post with such dexterity to incestuous sheets”. Claudius is clearly established as the villain in Hamlet, murdering his own brother and then plotting to kill Hamlet. He lies and is deceitful toying with the notion that the appearance of things is not their reality. The audience is privy to the ‘reality’ of Claudius ‘deed’, and of his guilt, through an aside, climactically stating, “then is my deed to my most painted word. O heavy burden!”.
Hamlet feels heartbroken when his mother, Gertrude marries the new King, Claudius. Hamlet is also seen as a tragic hero because he faces and accepts death with honor. However, it is not just Hamlet that could be seen as a tragic hero, Ophelia and Gertrude can also be seen as tragic heroes. Aristotle defined tragedy as 'the imitation of an action that is serious and also, as having magnitude, complete in itself'. A tragic hero will effectively gain our fear and pity if he is a good mixture of good and evil.
Pariya Chanchaisri Period 6, AP English Literature Dr. Clark June 10th, 2010 Death of a Moor It is pretty clear that Othello from Othello, the Moor of Venice, is considered as the tragic hero of the play. He dismisses Cassio from his position as his lieutenant; he has an extremely weak mind when it comes to being influenced. He ends up killing himself. More importantly, he had committed his sin by putting Desdemona, his most loyal wife, on a situation where she “were best” to remain silent. But do you ever wonder the true cause for Othello to murder his most loyal and faithful wife?
The basic formula for comedy has had more to do with conventions and expectations of plot and character with a requirement for lewd joke or cartoonish pratfalls” (Depaul University, Chicago pg 61) In light of this statement how far does ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ conform to your expectations of comedy? Shakespeare uses a structure that follows conventions which conform to an audience expectation of comedy in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. The play begins in accord with the anticipation of Theseus and Hippolyta’s wedding, the play later transitions into discord when there is confusion between the lovers and in the Green world. The structure of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ traditionally follows the structure of a comedy as it begins in harmony and then falls into a sense confusion, this also conforms to the audiences ‘expectation of plot’ as the sense of confusion makes up the ‘basic formula of comedy’. Additionally Shakespeare explores gender roles through a series of ‘lewd jokes’ and ‘cartoonish pratfalls’ which typically follow ‘the basic formula for comedy’ and also support the audience’s ‘expectation of plot’.
Romeo is discreetly referencing the prologue, where the audience learns that Romeo and Juliet are fated for misfortune. But Romeo also feels Fortune is being especially cruel; he just got married, and he might be put to death. His words