UNIT+TWO--LEARNING+TO+LOVE+SHAKESPEARE

Why is Shakespeare the most famous English author in history?
A Midsummer Night's Dream Wiki 2009-2010

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Unit Resources
No Fear Edition

AMND Sparknotes

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I. Inherited from the Greeks A. Komos: a funny performance at a wedding celebration or festival B. Scenes consisted of men wearing phallic symbols and engaging in obscene dialogue or making fun of the audience

II. Inherited from the Romans A. Deception B. Mistaken identity C. Gratifying conclusion

III. Popular festivals A. Song and dance B. Disguises C. Ritual abuse D. Mocking authority E. Clowning F. Often celebrated the change of season or harvest G. Many sexual themes as a result of timing of production

IV. Sources A. Medieval morality plays B. Dramatic and undramatic ballads and romance stories

V. Staple Conventions in Shakespeare’s Comedy A. Courtship is the main plotline generally B. Negating death = undo death, avoid it, laugh it off C. Controller figures who reshape reality 1. Manipulate others with their superior knowledge 2. Generate complications and resolutions 3. Shakespeare used women in this role sometimes 4. Temporarily placed servants over masters during festival time

D. Multiple plotlines 1. Alternate realities: court and forest 2. Contrasting worlds 3. Fluid interplay between chaos and reality

E. Verbal play encourages alternative meanings 1. Repetition 2. Doubling 3. Preposterous reversal 4. Amplification 5. Multiplication of words and errors to defer conclusion

F. Contradictions 1. Opposite perspectives (ex. Mocking marriage while working to bring marriage about) 2. Mocks itself