Influences on Shakespeare's Comedy Explained

Exploring the influences on Shakespeare's comedy, this content discusses the classical and native traditions that shaped his works. From classical Greek and Roman comedic styles to English traditions of misrule and identity switching, this piece uncovers the elements that were incorporated into Shakespeare's comedic genius.

• Shakespeare
• Comedy
• Influences
• Classical Tradition
• Native Tradition

nara Follow

Uploaded on Aug 27, 2024 | 0 Views

Download Presentation

Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.

The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.

Presentation Transcript

1. The Taming of the Shrew: Old, New, and Native Comedy

2. What is the crucial defining feature that makes a Renaissance play a comedy? A) lots of jokes B) lots of slapstick C) silly twists and turns in the plot D) ends in marriage E) no one dies

3. How many comic plots are there in The Taming of the Shrew? A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 4 E) 5

4. Traditions Influencing Shakespeares Comedy 1. Classical Tradition of Comedy Classical Old Comedy Greek Aristophanes, e.g. The Frogs political agonistic dialectical identity switching (disguisings)

5. Classical New Comedy Greek Menander; Roman Terence and esp. Roman Plautus intrigue plot based on marriage comedy of manners or type characters comedy of situation (disguisings mix- ups)

6. 2. Native (English) Tradition of Comedy Saturnalian festivals of misrule: disguisings and identity switching -e.g., Lord and Lady of Misrule flouting of authority scapegoating the anti-social or marginal (shrews, Jews, foreigners, etc.) drunkenness

7. The Taming plots Reveal Classical Influences: Old Comedy Exchanges of wit esp. initial wooing scene of Kate by Petruchio

8. New Comedy Type characters e.g. Gremio a pantaloon (pp. 16, 53) Disguises and deceits by young lovers in order to get around restraining fathers esp in Bianca Plot (based on George Gascoigne's Supposes, taken from Ariosto's Il Suppositi, based on Terence's The Eunuch and Plautus's The Captives) And from both traditions Identity switching/disguising

9. The Taming PlotsalsoReveal Native Influences: Katherine/Petruchio plot: Shrew taming popular in England Sly Induction: Introduces "game" of Saturnalian festivities play called a "Christmas gambold" or "tumbling- trick" (p. 13); "let the world slip (p. 14) Sly and Page are Lord and Lady of Misrule watch play of identity switching/disguisings

10. How many characters change identity in the Bianca wooing plot? A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 4 E) 5

11. Why do they change their identities?

12. In switching identities do they move up or down the social scale? A) up B) down C) some up and some down

14. How many characters change identity in the Induction plot? A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 4 E) 5

15. Why do they change their identities?

16. In switching identities do they move up or down the social scale? A) up B) down C) some up and some down

18. Opening of Taming of the Shrew in Zeffirelli film of the play (clip) What does Zeffirelli use as replacement for the Sly Induction?

19. How many characters change identity in the Kate and Petruchio plot? A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 4 E) none

20. Why do they change their identities?

21. In changing identities do they move up or down the social scale? A) up B) down C) some up and some down