Activity Overview
Shakespearean comedies usually contain elements such as irony, word play, and metaphors. Comedies also contain elements of love or lust, with obstacles that the lovers must overcome throughout the play. Mistaken identities are often used in both intentional and unintentional ways for comic relief. Additionally, a staple of the Shakespearean comedy is ending in a reunion or marriage(s). Finally, comedies contain complicated plots with twists that often keep the audience guessing what will happen next.
Having students create storyboards that depict the elements of this genre will help them to understand the comedy behind the play. It will also help them follow the multiple plots and interweaving of characters, while bringing the genre to life!
When I did him at this advantage take, an ass’s noll I fixed on his head. Anon his Thisbe must be answered, and forth my [mimic] comes. When they him spy, as wild geese that the creeping fowler eye, or russet-pated choughs, many in sort, rising and cawing at the gun’s report, sever themselves and madly sweep the sky, so at his sight away his fellows fly, and, at our stamp, here o’er and o’er one falls.
Comedic Elements of A Midsummer Night’s Dream
| Love Obstacles | Hermia's father tells her she must be with Demetrius even though she loves Lysander! |
|---|---|
| Mistaken Identities | Puck mistakes Lysander for Demetrius, and Titania mistakes Bottom for a person (even though he looks like a donkey) |
| Plot Twists | Hermia and Helena are split by jealousy. The men want to fight over someone neither of them loves. Titania is fooled by her own kind. But, it all works out in the end. |
| Marriage or Reunion | In the end, Helena marries Demetrius, Hermia marries Lysander, and the Duke marries Hippolyta. |
Using a template, students can quickly come up with their interpretations and create amazing storyboards that look like this:
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies the elements of a comedy. Illustrate instances and write a short description below each cell.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Create an image for an example that represents each element.
- Write a description of each of the examples.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 27 Points | Beginning 22 Points | Try Again 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elements of a Shakespearean Comedy Genre | The five common elements of the Shakespearean Comedy Genre are correctly identified and portrayed from the play. The quotes and/or explanations give context to the scene, and are accurate and appropriate to the elements being depicted. | 4-5 common elements of the Shakespearean Comedy Genre are correctly identified and portrayed from the play. The quotes and/or explanations give context to the scene, and are mostly accurate for the elements being depicted. | 2-3 common elements of the Shakespearean Comedy Genre are correctly identified and portrayed from the play. The quotes and/or explanations may be minimal or inaccurate for the elements being depicted. | 1-2 common elements of the Shakespearean Comedy Genre are correctly identified and portrayed from the play. The quotes/and or explanations may be inaccurate, missing, or too limited to score. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate to the play. It is evident that the student spent a lot of time, creativity, and effort into carefully crafting each artistic depiction. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. It is evident that the student stayed on task and put time and effort into crafting each artistic depiction. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate, but there are serious deviations that cause confusion or inaccuracies. The student may not have paid much attention to detail in crafting each depiction, and there may be evidence of rushing or limited effort. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate, missing, or too limited to score. It is evident that the student did not put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into crafting each artistic depiction. |
| English Conventions | Ideas and quotes are organized. Displays control of grammar, usage, and mechanics. Shows careful proofreading. | Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains few errors in grammar, usage and mechanics. Shows some proofreading. | Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains errors in grammar, usage and mechanics which interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. | Contains too many errors in grammar, usage and mechanics; (and/or) errors seriously interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. |
How To Use Storyboards to Teach Shakespearean Comedy
Define the Elements of Shakespearean Comedy
Begin by assisting students in understanding the elements of comedy. There are generally characters in love or lust who have some obstacles standing in their way. There are also cases of mistaken identity. Finally, there is a reunion or marriage at the end. Throughout a comedy, Shakespeare also plays with the double meaning of words.
Help Students to Find Examples
Lead a class discussion to aid students in finding examples of all of the elements of comedy in Shakespeare's plays. This will assist students when they have to find the elements themselves.
Have Students Create Storyboards
Students will find it enjoyable to create a storyboard in order to show the elements of comedy that Shakespeare is employing. By drawing a picture and writing a description, they will better understand comedy overall.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shakespearean Comedies
What are the typical comedic elements found in a Shakespearean play?
There are several comedic elements that you can count on in a Shakespearean play. First, there will be love or lust, but obstacles that stand in the way of the lovers. There are often mistaken identities, and they come about in both intentional and unintentional ways. Finally, many Shakespearean comedies end in reunions or marriages.
What examples of marriages or reunions can be found in A Midsummer Night's Dream?
Although there are many obstacles along the way, A Midsummer Night's Dream ends with Helena marrying Demetrius, Hermia marrying Lysander, and Hippolyta marrying the Duke. This is typical of Shakespearean comedies to have people marry at the end.
What types of word play did Shakespeare employ?
Shakespeare loved to play with words, employing double entendres, irony, multiple meanings, and other tricks of word play. These served to entertain the audiences of his time and to move the plot forward in a comedic way.
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