AMSND - Explore Shakespeare's use of comedy. Flashcards
What are the four typical features of the Shakespearean genre of comedy. [4]
- Distant/foreign location
- Mistaken identity
- Obstacles between lovers
- Romance that leads to marriage
Which aspects of the genre have we seen evidence of so far? [2]
- Foreign location - The play is set in ancient Athens which is far from Elizabethan England
- Obstacles between lovers - Egeus doesn’t want Hermia to marry Lysander.
How has the structure of the play so far emphasised comedy? [3]
- Starts out serious and somber in act 1 scene 1
- Transitions to funny and lighthearted in act 1 scene 2
- Gives audience a break from the seriousness and laugh
Reason 1: how does act 1 scene 2 display comedy?
Shakespeare uses obstacles between lovers as a comedic feature to appeal to an Elizabethan audience and share his view on love and marriage.
Reason 2: how does act 1 scene 2 display comedy?
The Mechanicals provide comedy to the audience through their very literal perspective and their inability to grasp that imagination is integral to theatre and performance.
Reason 3: how does act 1 scene 2 display comedy?
Nick Bottom displays comedy through his lack of self-awareness, malapropisms, and childlike behaviour.
What context about Shakespeare’s own life/ trade/ business help us better understand why he is creating comedy out of the characters in act 1 scene 2.
He is an actor, playwright, and owns part of a theater (the globe) and he uses The Mechanicals to poke fun at amateur actors and how they act backstage.
What context about the 1590s might help a modern audience better understand why Shakespeare composes a comedy in ‘AMSND?’
The 1590s was the ‘Nasty 90s’ a was when Elizabeth I’s reign began to deteriorate so audiences would want something fun that they knew ended well to see to take their minds of their terrible lives.
Give two quotes for reason 1. ‘Obstacles between lovers.’
“The course of true love never did run smooth” - Lysander
“I woo’d thee with my sword” - Theseus
Give three quotes for reason 2.
‘The Mechanicals literal imagining.’
“Nay faith, let me not play a woman: I have a beard coming.” - Flute
“Let me play the lion too.” - Nick Bottom
“Lamentable comedy…Pyramus and Thisbe” - Peter Quince (Ironic as Pyramus is a tragedy and they are performing at a wedding)
Give three quotes for reason 3.
‘Nick Bottom’s comedy.’
“We may rehearse most obscenely” - Bottom (malapropism)
“I will move storms” - Bottom (melodramatic and hyperbole)
“let me play Thisbe too!” - Bottom
