The Comedy Of Errors PDF

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A review of Shakespeare's "Comedy Of Errors" ...

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THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

“The Comedy of Errors” (Shakespeare, 1623) is one of Shakespeare’s earliest and shortest plays, which is noticeable, because of its lack of complexity. The comedy derives from the crudeness of its simplicity. As the farce plays out, the dramatical performance of the actors becomes more and more exaggerated. “The principal source of The Comedy of Errors was the Menaechmi of Plautus, which Shakespeare had enough Latin to read in one of the numerous editions of the sixteenth century.” (Shakespeare, W., Foakes, R. (1961) The Comedy of Errors) As Shakespeare is a master of tragedies, his comedies aren’t really fascinating and therefore The Comedy of Errors doesn’t make much of an exception. The mood of the play rapidly changes from simple and monotone to a more convoluted string of actions, which serve to add to add to the confusion, which in turn is where most of the comical aspects of the play are based on. The effect as a whole is more frustrating than it is comical. While watching the play, you would try to focus more on figuring out the continuation of the storyline, rather than appreciating the peculiar humor. At one point, when you actually notice the dry satire, it comes off as rather immature, rather than witty. On the other hand, the only moment that inspires the inner desire to laugh is at the culmination of the piece, where the swapping of the Dromio twins leads to the Antipholus brothers lashing out at them, which is a reoccurring theme. The servants are given tasks to carry out for their masters, but none of them got what they were asked to receive. But as the title of the piece states even something as disappointing as a mistake can lead to progress and that sometimes comedy highly depends on viewpoint and perspective. At first sight these misunderstandings are minor inconveniences but they

proof to be key elements in developing the storyline ultimately leading to settling all of the chaos. Errors as a whole aren’t accidental and what’s more they are sometimes needed in life, no matter how you perceive them as long as you learn from them and Shakespear’s work doesn’t make an exception. As Antipholous of Syracus lands on Ephesus a series of tragic problems proceeds him that drag everybody into a conundrum. However, they were all required in order reunite the family and the servants. On a shallow level the play seems dull, but the in depth analysis is needed to fully appreciate the meaning it’s trying to convey. While watching the play, you’re more interested in how everything is going to unravel, but the idea leaves a more profound impact on a question we all face in our lives at some point. The work may just seem unnerving and a bit uncomfortable to watch, but the ultimate end leads to a feeling of relief and sheds light on a problematic mindset that people have had in the past and still do to this very day. SOURCES AND REFFERENCES: https://www.digitaltheatre.com/consumer/production/the-comedy-of-errors Cavendish, D. (2014) The Comedy Of Errors, Shakespeare’s Globe, review. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk Harrison, J. (2017) BWW Review: The Comedy Of Errors at Hartford Stage. Retrieved from www.broadwayworld.com Holyoake, E. (2017) Review: The Comedy Of Errors At Rougemont Gardens, Exeter. Retrieved from http://www.exeuntmagazine.com Shakespeare, W., Foakes, R. (1961) The Comedy of Errors Shakespeare, W., Cuningham, H. (1907) The Comedy Of Errors

Taylor, P. (2014) The Comedy Of Errors, Shakespeare’s Globe, London: As Enchanting As It Is Hilarious. Retrieved from http://www.independent.co.uk Shenton, M. (2014) The Comedy Of Errors Review Shakespeare’s Globe. Retrieved from www.londontheatre.co.uk Spencer, C. (2011) The Comedy Of Errors, National Theatre, review. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk Quarmby, K., (2009) The Comedy Of Errors. Retrieved from http://www.britishtheatreguide.info...