Comedies of William Shakespeare

A Midsummer Night's Dream- Act 1 Scene 1
LYSANDER
Ay me! For aught that I could ever read,
Could ever hear by tale or history,
The course of true love never did run smooth.
But either it was different in blood—
HERMIA
O cross! Too high to be enthralled to low.
LYSANDER
Or else misgraffèd in respect of years—
HERMIA
O spite! Too old to be engaged to young.
LYSANDER
Or else it stood upon the choice of friends—
HERMIA
O hell, to choose love by another's eyes!

Passage Analysis-

I chose this passage from A Midsummer Night's Dream because it shows the difficulty these two characters are faced with, when wanting to get married. They seem very much in love, however Hermia's father, Egeus does not give his consent for their marriage. Egeus is used as a blocking mechanism so they are forced to runaway to get married. Lysander says that in all marriages they face obstacles, and this just shows how difficult it can be for two people in love to be together. But her father's disapproval eventually causes the confusion with the love potion, and leads to even more problems. Lysander and Hermia's love for one another is strong and they could not imagine not being together. However they do come off sounding shallow, because they speak of how horrible it would be to marry someone who is not at their own level. That shows that they need the honor of the name that comes along with their wife or husband, which makes them look very bad. This is almost intended to mock marriage, yet these two people do seem to be dedicated to one another. All of the events that unfold later in the play, in the woods, stems from their dedication and commitment to one another. Their trouble with love, then lends itself to foreshadow the love that each Demetrius and Helena share for two different people. This entire play is centered around love and the trouble it can cause for people, however without it our lives would so empty. This passage just shows the importance of love throughout and how it can effect people.

The Tempest- Act 4 Scene 1
PROSPERO
(to FERDINAND) If I have too austerely punished you,
Your compensation makes amends, for I
Have given you here a third of mine own life—
Or that for which I live—who once again
I tender to thy hand. All thy vexations
Were but my trials of thy love and thou
Hast strangely stood the test. Here, afore heaven,
I ratify this my rich gift. O Ferdinand,
Do not smile at me that I boast of her,
For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise
And make it halt behind her.

Passage Analysis-

This passage from The Tempest shows that Prospero wants to fulfill his daughters wishes, and let her marry Ferdinand. This part of the play shows that love does not have to be difficult and that, it can go how you wanted it to. In stories many times either the father is forcing the marriage, or will not approve of the marriage. This play is somewhat different because Prospero doesn't really like Ferdinand, but he is willing to except their marriage out of his love for his daughter. It is a happy ending that the main characters can agree upon. It signifies everything coming together, and Prospero is able to except and forgive his brother, he is able evolve and see the good in his life. He no longer holds a grudge and he just wants his daughter's happiness, and to move on. He is able to come to his own conclusion about the marriage and is able to turn his entire life around. This passage symbolizes how far he has come and him finally excepting the marriage.

The Taming of the Shrew- Act 2 Scene 1
PETRUCCIO
Marry, so I mean, sweet Katherine, in thy bed.
And therefore, setting all this chat aside,
Thus in plain terms: your father hath consented
That you shall be my wife, your dowry 'greed on,
And, will you, nill you, I will marry you.
Now, Kate, I am a husband for your turn,
For, by this light, whereby I see thy beauty,
Thy beauty that doth make me like thee well,
Thou must be married to no man but me.
For I am he am born to tame you, Kate,
And bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate
Conformable as other household Kates.

Passage Analysis-

For this marriage, Petruccio only wants to marry Kate because of her father's money and not because of her. He wants to tame her, and ultimately change her into something she is not, however what he wants her to be. This is an example of a forced marriage that may benefit other people however, it will not benefit Kate. Her father gave his permission and therefore she can not do anything about it. To love someone, is to love them for who they are and to marry them for who they are, but not marry them with the intent to change them. She lets Petruccio know her hatred for him, however he will not budge and he insists on their marriage and insists that he can tame her. Out of Baptista's desperation to find Kate a suitor, and Petruccio's desperation for his wealth, Kate really is given no choices. This marriage is not mutual, and Petruccio's only goal is to make her his wife, so she can serve him. The lack of love is depressing and nothing can stop his determination.

Comparison-

The similarities between all three of the passages from these plays is that of having to do with marriage and love. Each shows a different kind of love or different kind of approval for marriage. They deal with the difficulties that go along with love and sometimes the disapproval of it. In both A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Tempest, they start with disapproval. Lysander is denied Hermia's hand in marriage and Ferdinand is put to the test to win Miranda's hand. However, they over come the challenges they are faced with and are eventually able to wed. In The Taming of the Shrew, Kate is forced into a marriage with Petruchio that does not seem as though it will last. However at the end of the book they are still together and he was able to tame her. Even though somewhat different forms of love and marriage, they all do share that very important theme. The theme of love is the basis for these plays and how marriage does not only change the people getting married but the people that are around them. No matter how difficult it was for these characters they end up together and allow their love to guide them.

The language plays a huge part in these plays, because many of these characters are so convincing. Petruccio puts Kate's criticisms of him and replies with complementing her. He is so fast to flatter her and tell her of her beauty repeatedly for effectiveness. The bantering back and forth that these two share makes the words so vivid as to how much she hates him and how determined he is to marry her. Also Prospero's speech and forgiving the people who betrayed him and him rising above is, very real. The light yet obvious humor that is throughout all of these plays, adds to the sometimes serious conversations. The use of words to express feelings and evoke emotion, helps the reader get a sense of the comedic tone. Even the Jackass in A Midsummer Night's Dream miss uses words, however that is Shakespeare's exact intention and even when someone is lacking language it is adding to the play. He has so much thought behind the words he uses and he gives you a sense for his characters just by their words alone.

Comedies-

The genre that all of these plays have in common is that they are comedies, which is a reason for the humorous comments made throughout them. Some characters, such as Puck, and even Kate who add some comedic comments, make some of the more serious issues in the play seem lighter and easier than they actually are. The genre sometimes includes spirits, fairies, and magic that you would not see in a tragedy, or a history. It is light hearted and fun, which makes the plays more enjoyable. They make jokes, or just say things that in the moment can be taken as humorous, and they play tricks and use disguises, to create a more comedic story. Even though these plays do deal with many problems and are serious at times, the overall objective is to make the reader laugh. I found the love potion in A Midsummer Night's Dream that make the characters love different people, very fun and humorous. Everyone pry's in other peoples lives and relationship. Especially Puck's character who uses trickery and his slyness to make mischief throughout the play. Also some of the character's shallowness and having no real depth to them can add to the comedy. But they do seem to have real love throughout each, even if it is not always consistent. They all share the fact that they have marriages, and the difficulties that come along with each of them. The weddings seem to work out in the end, but it is always a problem getting to that point. This genre is easy and much less intense, yet still just as thought provoking as any other.

My Opinion-

My opinion of A Midsummer Night's Dream, is that it is very amusing and entertaining. All the characters play important parts in helping with the humor in the play. Puck, Oberon, and Titania are all very interesting and funny, and the story line helps keep the play light and fresh. The fights over silly things, and having the characters very confused at times is good. The Tempest I see as being more about forgiveness and love, than anything else. Prospero is able to use magic to create the storm in the beginning of the play, and that shows the less serious nature of the play. However, Prospero's growth and ability to forgive his brother and allow his daughter to marry Ferdinand, shows how far he has come. Even though, he does not approve of Ferdinand at first and gives him many tests to overcome, he eventually gives his consent, which makes me really like him.It is a nice happy ending and I like that Prospero does not seek revenge any longer and he just lets it stay in his past. I see The Taming of the Shrew, as being funny, yet more serious than the other two plays. Even though, it does have its humorous moments, it kind of makes me really angry. I do not like that Petruccio is only marrying Kate because of her father's wealth, and her father just wants a suitor for her, and does not care what kind of person he is. Petruccio wants to change Kate, and therefore does not really love her, I hate that he says he is going to tame her. Also, when they come back at the end of the play, Kate seems to be changed and even though she was very mean before, I don't like that she changed for him. Because I highly doubt that she wanted to change, and makes her character seem weak and just obeying whatever her new husband says. However all of these plays are funny in their own ways, and I am able to appreciate all of them in their own way.

Histories of William Shakespeare

King Richard the 3rd- Act 1 Scene 2

LADY ANNE

Dost grant me, hedgehog? then, God grant me too
Thou mayst be damned for that wicked deed!
O, he was gentle, mild, and virtuous!

GLOUCESTER

The fitter for the King of heaven, that hath him.

LADY ANNE

He is in heaven, where thou shalt never come.

GLOUCESTER

Let him thank me, that holp to send him thither;
For he was fitter for that place than earth.

LADY ANNE

And thou unfit for any place but hell.....

GLOUCESTER

Your beauty was the cause of that effect;
Your beauty: which did haunt me in my sleep
To undertake the death of all the world,
So I might live one hour in your sweet bosom....

Nay, do not pause; for I did kill King Henry,
But 'twas thy beauty that provoked me.
Nay, now dispatch; 'twas I that stabb'd young Edward,
But 'twas thy heavenly face that set me on.

[Here she lets fall the sword]

Take up the sword again, or take up me.

LADY ANNE

Arise, dissembler: though I wish thy death,
I will not be the executioner....

GLOUCESTER

And wet his grave with my repentant tears,
I will with all expedient duty see you:
For divers unknown reasons. I beseech you,
Grant me this boon.

LADY ANNE

With all my heart; and much it joys me too,
To see you are become so penitent.
Tressel and Berkeley, go along with me.

Passage Analysis-

I chose this scene in Richard the 3^rd because it gives the reader insight as to what is to come from Richard in the rest of the play. His well scripted and well executed pleas to Anne manipulates her into believing his apparent grief for the murders he has committed. These passages from the same scene show the parts to Richards plan, and how they work out so perfectly for him. At first Anne is distraught and very much upset, however through their conversation, she begins to give into his supposed sincerity and eventually gives in. Even though she is so adamant about her complete hatred of him, he somehow persuades her rather easily to believe him. This specific conversation foreshadows the abilities of Richards words to convince people of whatever he wants, and the enormous effect that they have over people in this play. Richard seduces Anne, because being married will bring him one step closer to the throne, and not because of love. He is fueled by his own bitterness and does not care about the length at which he will have to go to be King of England. It is not because of romance but because of furthering himself, in his journey to being all powerful. He uses flattery and compliments to win over Anne and she falls to his genuineness, even though it is completely false.

King Henry the 5th- Act 5 Scene 2

KING HENRY V

An angel is like you, Kate, and you are like an angel.

I am glad thou canst speak no better English; for, if
thou couldst, thou wouldst find me such a plain king
that thou wouldst think I had sold my farm to buy my
crown.

If thou canst love a
fellow of this temper, Kate, whose face is not worth
sun-burning, that never looks in his glass for love
of any thing he sees there, let thine eye be thy
cook. I speak to thee plain soldier: If thou canst
love me for this, take me: if not, to say to thee
that I shall die, is true; but for thy love, by the
Lord, no; yet I love thee too.

KATHARINE

Is it possible dat I sould love de enemy of France?

KING HENRY V

No; it is not possible you should love the enemy of
France, Kate: but, in loving me, you should love
the friend of France; for I love France so well that
I will not part with a village of it; I will have it
all mine: and, Kate, when France is mine and I am
yours, then yours is France and you are mine.

Passage Analysis-

I found this passage intriguing because it shows that really all that Henry wants is glory and honor. He wants to be very powerful and unite England and France. He really does not care about Katharine, however marrying her would help both countries come together, and that way he will have more influence. This passage even though not the same quality of his earlier speeches, still gives great recognition to his ability to get what he desires. He flatters her and says that it does not matter that they can not understand each other very well, which is ironic because he loves her, but yet he can not talk to her. Even though Henry makes himself out to be this plain soldier who is not good at communicating with anyone, he is lying. He is able to speak so commandingly and effectively that, you know this is all part of his plan to manipulate her into marriage. He makes it seem that he is less than he really is and that he would be very lucky to have Katharine as his wife. His backwards way of convincing her is so sly and clever that even though she only can understand part of what he is saying, she knows she can not deny his request.

Comparisons-

The connection that these two passages have is uncanny, because both men only have one thing in mind, and that is to gain as much power as they can. Neither Richard, nor Henry, care about the women they are seducing in these passages, they are only using them to get ahead. They want the glory of having the throne and will stop at nothing to get what they want. They both are able to be very convincing in similar ways to gain both Anne and Katharine's trust. They allow themselves to seem almost desperate for them to agree, and will stop at nothing to succeed in their plots. Both men use flattery and go to great lengths to please these women with compliments. Richard acts very remorseful for his crimes and makes it seem like it is partly Anne's fault for the death of her husband and his father. Forcing her to feel guilty and then switching from hostility towards Richard, to gratitude for his remorseful state. Henry just makes it seem that he would take care of Katharine and France, and that even though he is a plain man he will give her what she needs because he loves her.

Language plays a huge part in these two passages and in the plays in general. Richard and Henry are so very convincing in their manipulation of these two women, and winning them over. Anne hates Richard and Katharine can barely understand Henry, and yet somehow they are both are able to beguile them into courtship. Both are desperate for power and they each use their apparent skill and tactic with words to ensure the conquest at the given moment. Richard uses flattery and trickery to change Anne's mind, and make her somehow forgive him for the devastation that he had caused her. He uses reverse psychology to sway her from one side to another, and she falls victim to his deception. He repeats himself for one purpose and that is to make Anne really hear his sincerity. Henry uses somewhat of the same tactics in complementing Katharine and saying she is an angel and that he will protect her. He however, lowers his intelligence to seem plain and unable to say what he wants to in the way he wants to. The way they use their individual language to their advantage is a major theme throughout both plays. Without their speeches and just purely convincing nature the plays would be no where near what they really are. Language plays a pivotal role in King Richard the 3^rd and King Henry the 5^th.

Histories-

The fact that both of these plays have historical genres, make for some even more similarities. One similarity in both of these plays is the participation in battles, and being the leader of the army. Richard and Henry are the leaders of their armies and go and fight in violent battles to defend their power. Also death plays a huge part in the plays, contributing to both characters rise to power. And eventually Richard is killed in battle after falling off his horse, and dying somewhat surprisingly. Both kill innocent people, the people that they are supposed to be closest with, and make up their minds to do so. In both of these historical plays they deceive and turn against many people they should be loyal to, to further themselves. Even the language as I discussed before plays a huge role in each of these characters success, however it also can get them into trouble. The historical genre comes through with England's struggle for stability and a king that can produce that for them. Also the fact that Richard acts as a true villain and a very dishonest person adds to this genre. He is the bad guy who everyone ends up hating. However, Henry is seen as a hero and a motivator for his army. He is able to encourage his troops and he is a huge reason for the victory over France. Even their power hungriness, that shows the reader their political aims and intentions. They are desperate for power and honor, that they go to great lengths to achieve this.

Opinion-

My opinion of Richard is that of disgust, however in a strange way somewhat envious. I would never want to betray the closest people to me, and become so emotionless to be able to kill, as if it were just a game. However, Richard is able to control and influence so many people not by actions, but by his words. He is so very convincing that you can do nothing but commend him for his abilities to get what he wants when he wants it, evil as it may be. What I can not stand about him though, is his willingness to cast people aside if it means he can get ahead politically speaking. No one was safe and he would have anyone killed he had to, if it meant he could achieve more power over England. The way he goes about murdering his brother and his nephews is just so emotionless and thoughtless. He shows no remorse for the devastating occurrences that he had complete control over, until much later in the play when it was too late. With Henry it was somewhat different. He rose up from being lazy and doing nothing productive really, and became king, with all the responsibility thrust upon him. He wanted to prove that he was worth something and he wanted glory and honor in England. However, he did have to kill some people to gain this power, one being his close friend. I don't agree with this, but he is forced to choose between being a loyal friend or doing what he can for the country. Henry is able to rise to whatever occasion even though, some may have doubted him. I admire how persuasive he is just like Richard and he is a kinder person I think, however determined and brutal when he needs to be. He can change and adjust his mannerisms when he needs to and it proves very effective. I definitely think he is the better king and I think he does want whats best for his country and he truly is brilliant.