Classical Model of Drama

Question 1

How did the Romans treat genre?

Answer 1

Clear cut separation of genre in Roman Comedy

Question 2

How does Plautus’ The Menachemi relate to The Comedy of Errors?

Answer 2

Plot is indebted

Question 3

But in what ways do they differ?

Answer 3

Shakespeare doubles potentilaity for mistaken identity and visual jokes by inserting an additional pair of twins
Pays close attention to character development
Fuses genre

Question 4

Name the three convention for Drama as stated in Aristotle’s The Poetics…

Answer 4

1. Comedy and tragedy are two diferent modes of writing
2. Unities of time and place must be observed
3. Actionand plot is more important than attention to character, usually used stock characters who teach moral lessons

Question 5

What do the unities ensure?

Answer 5

Drama limited to duration of one day, one general locality
Solidity to plot
Creates consistency of time and place

Question 6

Shakespeare treats genre differently to Plautus, how?

Answer 6

Uses genre as instrument because believes it to be generative.

Question 7

Does Shakespeare observe the unities?

Answer 7

He does use the unities but he doesn’t attach himself to the tradition: someone is always trying to leave, involves men of high and lower fortunes, confuses genre

Question 8

Comedy as a genre uses individual subjectivity. Where can this be found in the COE?

Answer 8

Act 2, scene 2.

Adriana encounters the wrong Antipholus whom she thinks is her husband - Luciana is shocked by Antipholus’ advancements - Dromio protests to have never met these women before - mater and salve united

Question 9

Explain individual subjectivity in this scene

Answer 9

All four characters acting reasonably and honestly. But each is doubly wrong about what has happened and who talking to

Question 10

How does Shakespeare differ from Plautine original in relation to character?

Answer 10

Characters are endowed with an inner life and dramatic autonomy. So does further than Classicism

Question 11

Who does Shakespeare place greater emphasis on?

Answer 11

On the travelling brother and his quest for his brother

Question 12

Plautus presents us with two characters who are alike and fit each others situation. What does Shakespeare do?

Answer 12

Creates two different characters who respond to error differently and reflects individual self

Question 13

What is the relevant quote in Act 1, scene ii?

Answer 13

He that commends me to mine own/ Content/ Commends me too the things that i cannot get./ I to the world am like a drop of water/ That in the ocean seeks another drop,/ Who, falling there to find his fellow forth,/ Unseen, inquisitive, confounds himself./ So i, to find a mother and a brother,/ In quest of them, unhappy lose myself”

Question 14

What do all of Antipholus’ speeches convey?

Answer 14

Deepest fear of loss of self, fear of change

Question 15

Before Antipholus’ soliloquy above, what happens?

Answer 15

Antipholus and Dromio part before speech just before occurence of comic error. Skilful preparation. Comedy quietens fears of change.

Question 16

The transforming power becomes identified with women. What does Adrianna say about marriage in ii,ii?

Answer 16

“Oh how comes it/ That thou art then estranged from thyself?”

Question 17

What are Adriana’s thoughts on marriage?

Answer 17

Transforms two into one. Restebalishes water drop image and argues amrriage is a confounding of self

Question 18

So Antipholus is presented with two women who claim to know him. What does he do?

Answer 18

Respomds with monologuse cast as a dialogue, questions his identity

Question 19

What does the monologue do?

Answer 19

Sets up series of rhetorical questions which set up dichotomy between ‘i’ and ‘you’

Question 20

So the rehtoric conveys…

Answer 20

an inner consciousness

Question 21

Antipholus talks about how he has been recreated because of his love for Luciana in iii,ii, 61…

Answer 21

It is thyself, mine own self’s better part…

Question 22

What does Dromio’s arrival on the scene mean?

Answer 22

Provides description of Luce full of beastial imagery, provides effective counterbalance.

Question 23

So both men…

Answer 23

Undergo a parallel transformation

Question 24

So Shakespeare uses comic soliloquy how?

Answer 24

Dramatise character development

Question 25

The Comedy of Errors is pervaded by tragicomedy, where can it be found?

Answer 25

Antipholus’ soliloquies

First scene pervaded by dark atmosphere. Second scene presents disunity of genre

Question 26

How does rhetoric problematise character?

Answer 26

Rhetoric of consciousness, soliloquies, colloquial verse form and breaks in thought = character complex and lifelike

Question 27

Name the ways Shakespeare differs from Classical conventions…

Answer 27

Character dev through confusion of genre, soliloquies + developed dramatic autonomy
Still set against comic backdrop and mistaken identity
Doubles potentialities for MI
Focus on one character: comedy quiets his fears
Twists conventions so as to encompass tragic and comic genre

Question 28

How would the open air areans of Elizabethan age reinforce unities?

Answer 28

The sun actually setting as the play draws
to a close, the crowded, street-like area before the stage, and even the stationary
nature of observing a play all work to subtly reinforce the unities of time, place and
action