What I expect
to learn from reading this play are the elements that make a Shakespeare comedy
and how to better understand classical English. I expect to achieve these goals
by watching the film version of the play and analyzing the text using the No Fear Shakespeare copy of the play.
The elements of a Shakespeare comedy are quite specific. When I read the play I am going to analyze
the words and attempt to discover the literary and dramatic devices used by Shakespeare
that classifies the play as a comedy. These characteristics that make a comedy
will be shown through plot, character types and setting. Generally the plot can
help distinguish what makes a comedy by putting the characters in extreme
situations such as love triangles, such as in Twelfth Night. Character types are important in a Shakespeare comedy
because if the character is too serious he or she won’t be funny. What makes a
character funny in a play is the sarcasm the characters use and usually they
have a big personality. The setting is important because it allows the
characters to interact in a comedic fashion. I hope to use what I already know
about comedy to better my understanding of the differences between comedic and
dramatic plays. I also will use the movie to help better understand the language
of the play. Having a visual representation of the play will help me better
understand what is spoken by the characters.
