It could perfectly be considered a comedy because of all the generic features present in that genre. On the other hand, it also contains gloomy elements. Some example of this is Shylock’s desire for the alternate mode of payment on the debt, the pound of flesh from Antonio. Because of this various elements, attempting to categorize The Merchant of Venice into just one genre can get a little confusing. First, what is comedy and what is tragedy. According to TurtorVision.com, “comedy is a type of drama that is intended to amuse, usually with a happy ending. The central character of a comedy is usually an ordinary character that faces conflicts that arise from misunderstandings or mistaken identities but overcomes them, and the play ends with a happy resolution.” (TutorVision) and tragedy is “a drama that ends in the downfall of its main character… The hero’s downfall is meant to inspire audiences to examine their own lives, to define their beliefs, and to cleanse their emotions of pity and terror through compassion for the character.” (TutorVista). The difference in the two genres is very evident, mainly because in a comedy the protagonists end with a happy ending, but in a tragedy the …show more content…
In The Merchant of Venice that comic relief came in the form of Launcelot Gobbo. “LAUNCELOT. Ergo, Master Launcelot. Talk not of Master Launcelot, father; for the young gentleman, according to Fates and Destinies and such odd sayings, the Sisters three and such branches of learning, is indeed deceased; or, as you would say in plain terms, gone to heaven. GOBBO. Marry, God forbid! The boy was the very staff of my age, my very prop.” (Shakespeare 316). This character was a clown that would tell jokes to lighten the moon in his occasional conversations. The presence of a fool or clown in stories is proof that this is not a tragedy, as the tone is too serious to incorporate
The Stablemaster and Its Comparison to other Literary Works Classic Italian literature within the Renaissance has often included a central idea embodied within a well thought out and biting prank to serve some form of justice or provide entertainment. Also, the common incidence of mimicry in the sixteenth century’s literal works produced large numbers of similar characters, plots, conflicts, and resolutions. The jokes within these literary works often employed the assistance of characters that found themselves encompassed within the prank during their daily lives. These individuals were swayed into aiding the joke by Fortune herself, whether aware of the trick or not. For example, Pietro Aretino’s play, The Stablemaster, was one of the most intriguing, well known, and detail oriented works that focused on the central idea of a prank, carried out to perfection because of the trick’s guidance by Fortune through Aretino’s use of imagery and satire in dialogue.
Shakespeare created three types of plays: tragedy, comedy and history. Shakespeare’s writing is entertaining and humorous because of its highbrow and lowbrow humor to appeal to the audiences during his time period. For example in the article, “Brush Up Your Shakespeare: Understanding The Funny Bits,” by Randy Murray it states that, “ There is”low” comedy in Shakespeare’s tragedies as well as the comedies. It's important.
It’s supposed to be funny” (Wizner 67). His humour indicates that he has come to terms with the reality. He is able to overcome his fear of judgement from others when he expresses his emotions and finds his peace. By resolving the conflicts, Shakespeare is
According to A.C. Bradley, Shakespearean tragedy have the following elements “although a tragedy may have many characters, it is pre-eminently the story of one person or at most two. The story leads up to and included the death of the hero. The story depicts also the troubled part of the hero’s life which precede’s and leads up to his death. The hero is a conspicuous person, a person of high degree. The suffering and calamity are exceptional, of a striking kind.
Medieval romance novels revolve around knights who follow a code of chivalry and courtly love as well as embark on a perilous quests. Medieval romances typically do not include farce or satire. Farce is a type of comedy which includes exaggerated humor and mockery. Satire is the use of irony and ridicule to criticize or point out various aspects of society. Monty Python and the Holy Grail mocks the characteristics of a medieval romance such as the quest, knightly chivalry and courtly love through the use of satire and irony.
Question 1-Shakespeare in Love Shakespeare in love as a comedy Shakespeare in love is comedy that provides a clear juxtaposition of Shakespeare’s live in Elizabethan time and creates allusions to his works and modern times with allusion to famous Hollywood films. Aspects of the Elizabethan times are evidently displayed throughout the play. The clothing worn by the actors and actresses was characterised by doublets, breeches, gowns, corsets, collars, ruffs and hats. It was evident that there was a clear class division.
Tragedy has been a part of drama since the time of the ancient greeks, an example of such a tragedy is Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. Since then tragedy has been adapted to adhere to different societal views and conventions, such that of the american theatre. Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, is an example of that. Both plays fall into the category of tragedy, but exemplify it through different aspects in their respective heroes. The roles of Oedipus and Willy Loman as tragic heroes convey the meanings of the works as wholes through the use of the literary devices dramatic irony and imagery.
Define the term “dramatic irony,” and give two examples from the play. Dramatic irony is using language that has a significance of a character 's words or actions that are unclear to another character, sometimes involving humor or a great effect. One example of dramatic irony in Romeo and Juliet is when Juliet lays “dead” in her tomb. Juliet is not actually dead, but later kills herself as she has found Romeo killed himself because he thought that Juliet was actually dead. Another example of dramatic irony is when the Nurse is weeping for Tybalt, but Juliet thinks that Romeo has died, even though the Nurse says that Tybalt
A tragedy is a dramatic work in which the principle character engages in a significant struggle ending in ruin and destruction. In creating his tragedy, Sophocles uses many techniques to create the feelings of fear and pity in his readers. This in turn creates an excellent tragedy. In Antigone, Sophocles does a great job at bringing out
‘The Merchant of Venice’ written by William Shakespeare (1564-1616) and ‘The Jew of Malta’ written by Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593) were both written during a period when anti-semitism was prevalent in England. Anti Semitism is the intense dislike for and prejudice against Jewish people. The Jews were considered a despised race and were deeply resented by the Christians. They bore the plaque of disgrace and hostility. As a Jew, Shylock too faced such discrimination.
The concept of justice varies depending on the country, their cultures, and on individual people. Justice and mercy are important themes in The Merchant of Venice and are supported by quotes in the play; it is clearly seen that these two virtues cannot be achieved simultaneously. Justice calls for “an eye for an eye” and mercy asks for forgiveness and compassion towards the one who did wrong. Using examples from The Merchant of Venice, it can clearly be seen that these two human virtues can not be pursued at the same time. There are various definitions as to what justice truly is.
In the story, “The Merchant of Venice,” there is a character named Shylock. Shylock is a Jewish citizen who lives in Venice, a place where Jewish people are one of the lowest class of citizens. This piece by Shakespeare creates this controversial character that can be viewed as a villain or victim. In this play, through the archetypal lense, we can see that Shylock is a villain because of his hatred and his desire for revenge. Some people may see Shylock as a victim because during the time period in which the story is wrote, jewish people were treated like animals and given nearly no rights or role in society.
Role of women in The Merchant of Venice Women during 16th century had no individual freedom. Despite the fact that a single woman ruled England at the time of Shakespeare, the Elizabethan society was patriarchal. Women were considered the weaker gender and always in need of being protected. Wealthy woman were highly educated but they had no right to have professions while poor women sometimes would turn to prostitution or become servants to survive. The book The Merchant of Venice was settled in Venice because Shakespeare wanted to show that even in the foundation place of Renaissance were prejudicial ideas and woman was considered as a weak character.
In most cases, Greek plays fall under one of two categories: tragedy or comedy. A tragedy is an event causing great suffering, destruction, and distress, such as a serious accident, crime, or natural catastrophe whereas, a comedy is a professional entertainment consisting of jokes and satirical sketches, intended to make an audience laugh. The acclaimed play, Antigone, written by Sophocles, can be portrayed as a tragedy. In this play, the main character, Antigone, rebels against Creon, king of Thebes, by burying her brother, Polyneices, after Creon announces to everyone that he is not to be buried. Creon later discovers what she has done, and sentences her to death.
“Life is a mixing of all kind of things: comedy and tragedy going together” (Alejandro Jodorowsky). Comedy and tragedy have been two popular forms of entertainment for people throughout the ages. From Greek performances to contemporary plays, the art of theatre is well and thriving. While the styles of playwrights and the way theatre is experienced changes through time, the messages these plays gaves have more or less stayed the same. Drama can, for the most part, be classified as either tragedy or comedy.