One Distinction Between Comic and Tragic Drama Is That Comedies End Happily, While Tragedies Do Not. to What Extent Is the Ending of Twelfth Night a Happy One?
One distinction between comic and tragic drama is that comedies end happily, while tragedies do not. To what extent is the ending of Twelfth Night a happy one?
Twelfth Night Or What You Will is renowned for being one of Shakespeare’s
finest achievements in comedy. The basis of a comedy lies in its characters
and plot, both of which merge together in a formula to produce an end
resolution that can be interpreted as happy, and also, specifically in the case
of Twelfth Night, festive. The construction of a comedy usually entails conflict
at the opening of the plot, a twist that enables the protagonist to triumph, and
a resolution in which they achieves their desires and end happy in the
restoration.
Although Twelfth Night’s structure mirrors that of a comedy, it does contain
elements of dark distain, with tragic undertones, which force the play away
from the stereotype of ‘traditional comedy’ and into its own, unofficial genre of
tragic comedy.
Another play written by Shakespeare, which contains very similar
structure and ambiguity regarding genre, is The Merchant of Venice, which
was believed to be written between 1956 and 1958, just years before
Shakespeare begun Twelfth Night. Both plays contain a comedic plot
structure, typical comedic themes, and provide for music, comic relief, and a
somewhat satisfying conclusion. Nevertheless, both plays push the limits of
these characterisations of comedy and bring forth the concept of death, which
complicates the definition of Elizabethan comedy. Both plays end in festivities
but with an ambiguous darkness and a foreboding shadow in which
Shakespeare seems to go to the very edge of comedy and
tragedy. These two comedies, unlike earlier ones, leave the audience
discontent and questioning the moral and statement of the work, leading to a
much more deep effect than a simplified and superficial satisfaction.
Shakespeare
Twelfth Night Or What You Will is renowned for being one of Shakespeare’s
finest achievements in comedy. The basis of a comedy lies in its characters
and plot, both of which merge together in a formula to produce an end
resolution that can be interpreted as happy, and also, specifically in the case
of Twelfth Night, festive. The construction of a comedy usually entails conflict
at the opening of the plot, a twist that enables the protagonist to triumph, and
a resolution in which they achieves their desires and end happy in the
restoration.
Although Twelfth Night’s structure mirrors that of a comedy, it does contain
elements of dark distain, with tragic undertones, which force the play away
from the stereotype of ‘traditional comedy’ and into its own, unofficial genre of
tragic comedy.
Another play written by Shakespeare, which contains very similar
structure and ambiguity regarding genre, is The Merchant of Venice, which
was believed to be written between 1956 and 1958, just years before
Shakespeare begun Twelfth Night. Both plays contain a comedic plot
structure, typical comedic themes, and provide for music, comic relief, and a
somewhat satisfying conclusion. Nevertheless, both plays push the limits of
these characterisations of comedy and bring forth the concept of death, which
complicates the definition of Elizabethan comedy. Both plays end in festivities
but with an ambiguous darkness and a foreboding shadow in which
Shakespeare seems to go to the very edge of comedy and
tragedy. These two comedies, unlike earlier ones, leave the audience
discontent and questioning the moral and statement of the work, leading to a
much more deep effect than a simplified and superficial satisfaction.
Shakespeare