Comedies, Romances, and Shakespeare's Heroines: Crash Course Theater #16
Introduction to Shakespearean Comedies
In this section, Mike Rugnetta introduces the topic of Shakespearean comedies and highlights their complexity and variety.
What is a Shakespearean comedy?
- A Shakespearean comedy is a play that is not based on a recent historical figure and ends happily.
- The presence of dead bodies indicates that it is not a comedy, while a marriage at the end confirms it as one.
Themes and characteristics of Shakespearean comedies
- Comedy encompasses a wide range of styles, from farce to bittersweet melancholy.
- Comedies often revolve around themes of separation and reunion, disguise, mistaken identity, and retreat into the forest.
- Songs are commonly included in comedies, although they can be strangely sad.
- Stock characters from Roman comedy are used by Shakespeare but are given depth and feel like real people.
Empathy in Shakespeare's comedies
- Unlike other playwrights of his time who made fun of their characters, Shakespeare's comedies invite empathy for the characters.
- We laugh with the characters rather than at them because they feel like real people with genuine fears and desires.
Focus on women in Shakespeare's comedies
- Shakespeare's comedies often center around women trying to protect themselves or marry men of their choice.
- These heroines step away from their ordinary lives to succeed, often by running away into the forest or cross-dressing.
- The limited opportunities for women during that time period are reflected in these plays.
Women in Shakespeare's Comedies
This section explores how women in Shakespeare's comedies defy social norms but ultimately have limited defiance. It also discusses the portrayal of love marriages as equal partnerships.
Limited defiance by women in comedies
- Shakespeare's heroines defy social norms but only temporarily.
- Their defiance is correctable, and they are ordered to return to their traditional roles at the end of the play.
Cross-dressing and gender roles
- The cross-dressing of women in Shakespeare's comedies challenges traditional gender roles.
- During Shakespeare's time, these female roles were played by boy actors, adding another layer of complexity.
Love marriages as equal partnerships
- Shakespeare emphasizes the greatness and equality of love marriages in his comedies.
- These marriages often feature women who are braver, cleverer, and more sensible than their male counterparts.
Humor in Shakespeare's Comedies
This section explores the humor in Shakespeare's comedies, including jokes from both tragedies and comedies.
Jokes in Shakespeare's plays
- Some of the funniest jokes can be found in tragedies like Romeo and Juliet or Hamlet.
- The gravediggers scene in Hamlet and Mercutio's wit in Romeo and Juliet are examples of humorous moments within tragedies.
- While some jokes are sophisticated, others are simple puns or wordplay.
Sir Walter Raleigh on Shakespearean Women
This section presents Sir Walter Raleigh's perspective on Shakespearean women as practical, clear-sighted individuals who do not conform to societal expectations.
Sir Walter Raleigh on Shakespearean women
- Sir Walter Raleigh describes Shakespearean women as practical and clear-sighted individuals who do not accept societal norms without question.
- They have a strong sense of purpose and agency.
These notes provide an overview of the main topics covered in the transcript. For a more detailed understanding, please refer to the original transcript.
New Section
This section discusses the different types of plays in Shakespeare's works, including comedies, problem plays, and romances.
Types of Plays
- Comedies are not just about jokes. They can include serious elements and social commentary.
- Problem plays are stuck between comedy and tragedy. They address social issues but have unsatisfying resolutions.
- Romances mix tragedy and comedy but have happier conclusions due to patience and forgiveness.
New Section
This section explores problem plays and romances in more detail.
Problem Plays
- Coined in the late 19th century by Heinrich Epson, problem plays tackle social problems.
- Examples include "Measure for Measure," "All's Well That Ends Well," and "The Merchant of Venice."
- These plays have happy endings on paper but often leave a sour feeling due to unresolved issues.
Romances
- Romances also blend tragedy and comedy but with a softer approach.
- They start as tragedies but end happily with characters changing and maturing.
- Examples include "The Winter's Tale" and "The Tempest."
New Section
This section focuses on one of Shakespeare's wilder romances, "Cymbeline."
Synopsis of "Cymbeline"
- The play revolves around King Cymbeline of ancient Britain, his stolen sons, and his daughter Imogen who elopes with Posthumous.
- Imogen faces challenges due to her lower social status and attempts on her life by the Queen.
- Posthumous makes a bet that another man can't seduce Imogen, leading to misunderstandings.
- Complications arise involving disguises, mistaken identities, long-lost siblings, an invading Roman army, and a recognition scene.
- Ultimately, everything is resolved, including the revelation of true parentage and the death of the Queen.
New Section
The recognition scene in "Cymbeline" showcases Shakespeare's ability to combine tragedy and comedy.
Tragedy and Comedy in "Cymbeline"
- "Cymbeline" incorporates elements from other plays, such as jealousy from "Othello" and cross-dressing from comedies.
- The play balances tragedy and comedy, ensuring a happy ending for all characters, even the Romans.
- Imogen's resourcefulness stands out, highlighting her ingenuity compared to her husband.
New Section
Farewell to Shakespeare with a quote from Ben Johnson praising his talent.
Farewell to Shakespeare
- Ben Johnson admired Shakespeare's honesty, creativity, and expressive language.
- Johnson believed there was more to praise than criticize in Shakespeare's works.
- Concluding thoughts before moving on to Jacobi and drama.
Timestamps are provided for each section.