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.
| 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:
(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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.