Overview
This episode of Crash Course Theatre explores the complexities of Shakespearean comedies, discussing their defining features, themes, notable characters, the distinction between comedies, problem plays, and romances, and providing a detailed example with Cymbeline.
Defining Shakespearean Comedy
- Shakespearean comedies are plays not based on recent history and ending in happiness, often with marriages.
- The genre varies from farcical to bittersweet and includes works now called problem plays and romances.
- Common themes include separation and reunion, disguise, mistaken identity, and escape from society into a forest.
Stock Characters and Empathy
- Plays feature recognizable stock characters from Roman comedy but give them depth and real emotions.
- Shakespeare’s comedies generate laughter with, rather than at, characters, fostering empathy.
Role of Women
- Comedies focus heavily on women, showing them as clever, practical, and resourceful in contrast to their circumstances.
- Female characters temporarily defy social norms, often via cross-dressing, but ultimately return to their expected roles.
- The plays subtly reflect limitations on women’s opportunities in Shakespeare’s time.
Humor in the Plays
- Not all comedies are joke-filled, and some jokes are found in tragedies.
- Shakespeare employs puns, wordplay, and even bawdy or crude humor.
- The funniest or most memorable jokes are sometimes bittersweet or unexpectedly placed.
Problem Plays and Romances
- Problem plays tackle social issues and occupy a space between comedy and tragedy, with unsatisfying or ambiguous endings.
- Romances blend comedic and tragic tones, focusing on forgiveness and transformation, leading to generally satisfying conclusions.
Example: Cymbeline
- Cymbeline contains elements of jealousy, disguise, and recognition scenes, blending tragedy and comedy.
- The plot involves lost siblings, mistaken identities, attempted murders, and eventual reunion and resolution for all characters.
- The play exemplifies Shakespeare’s ability to combine complex themes and genres effectively.
Farewell and Legacy
- Closing remarks highlight Shakespeare’s strengths in characterization and storytelling, quoting Ben Johnson’s praise of Shakespeare’s nature and excellence.