Tragedy- MacBeth

Tragedy is defined as a lamentable, dreadful, or fatal event or affair; calamity; disaster by dictionary.com and generally speaking I agree with this definition. This genre is usually (for me) associated with tears instead of laughter. I find the very idea of Shakespeare's work being called a tragedy amusing, not because i think he is incapable of writing it, but because the way he writes it makes it more amusing than tragic.

Quote:
MACBETH: I'll go no more:I am afraid to think what I have done;Look on't again I dare not.
LADY MACBETH: Infirm of purpose!Give me the daggers: the sleeping and the dead Are but as pictures: 'tis the eye of childhood That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed,I'll gild the faces of the grooms withal; For it must seem their guilt.
Exit.

In this scene the true loveliness of Lady MacBeth comes alive! She is basically saying to her husband (who is supposed to be the one in charge in accordance with the gender roles of the time) give me the knives you idiot ill clean up your mess. This is an obvious showing of Shakespeare's view on gender roles which often appears in his writing. She refers to the notions he has about the dead as childish. Putting him once more in a feminine light and her in a masculine light.

I love this play by Shakespeare, not as much as A Midsummer Nights Dream, but a lot. Lady MacBeth is possibly my favorite female role in any given play EVER. Just her take charge attitude with her husband and the way she obviously wears the pants is so humorous that I'm not entirely sure why this is a tragedy and not a Comedy. Although into both catagories it fits because of the ending. his opnion of gender roles is clear in this play making it one of his better works when combined with the humor provided to a tragedy. Good work, Bard.

Comedy- Mid Summer Nights Dream

I don't know a single person who doesn't like a good comedy. Something light and funny with unexpected twists and turns often produces laughter from even the most stoic of critics. The confusion Shakespeare creates in order to produce the comedic effect is just as amusing as the puns he creates so lavishly. I love the genre comedy and if i do watch a movie is it often of this genre. While comedy is wonderful, as we learned in class it is often hard to nail down what it is that makes something funny. Sort of like nailing jello to a tree.

Speaking of nailing jello to a tree, I imagine that these fools would try to do just that kind of thing (if they had jello in their time):
SNOUT:Will not the ladies be afeard of the lion?
STARVELING:I fear it, I promise you.
BOTTOM:Masters, you ought to consider with yourselves: tobring in--God shield us!--a lion among ladies, is amost dreadful thing; for there is not a more fearfulwild-fowl than your lion living; and we ought tolook to 't.
SNOUT:Therefore another prologue must tell he is not a lion.
BOTTOM:Nay, you must name his name, and half his face mustbe seen through the lion's neck: and he himselfmust speak through, saying thus, or to the samedefect,--'Ladies,'--or 'Fair-ladies--I would wishYou,'--or 'I would request you,'--or 'I wouldentreat you,--not to fear, not to tremble: my lifefor yours. If you think I come hither as a lion, itwere pity of my life: no I am no such thing; I am aman as other men are;' and there indeed let him namehis name, and tell them plainly he is Snug the joiner.

This is probably part of the most ridiculous exchanges within the entire play. Bottom and his troope of actors (haha) are so smitten with themselves that they seem to think their acting is so wonderful and lifelike that they may frighten the Ladies. The most amusing part of this passage would be the diction. Shakespeare intentionally makes these fools misuse words and misspells other in order to contribute to the chaos factor which helps create the humor.

History-Richard III

Before I start any analyzing I would look to look at the genre of History. (yay) Shakespearian histories are somewhat different than the average history. Shakespeare helped to shape the opinion of his people, and in effect altered opinions to reflect in the histories written following his publications. While I find history boring in most cases the very fact that his plays altered how history was written down (and perceived) for a period of time makes history all that more interesting. Truly the master of words Shakespeare finds a way to make even the most evil people appear interesting and makes a bloody struggle for power seem like it was all in a days work. Well done, Shakespeare- you held my attention in history for more than ten minutes.

"GLOUCESTER: Well, your imprisonment shall not be long; Meantime, have patience."

The true cunning of Richard III is apparent in this double entendre. While Richard appears to have great concern for his brother's position and vows to do anything he can to help, he has a truly dark side that is apparent in this scene. Moments before his brother Clarence walks in, Richard is discussing how it is his right to do the evil that he is doing in order to get to the throne. When Clarence appears on his way to the Tower, Richard makes the above promise. One would hardly suspect that Richard would be the reason that Clarence's imprisonment will not be long, only because of his death.

As I have said, history is not exactly my forte. on the other hand it is difficult to read a Shakespearean play and not get caught up in the story. This talent of Shakespeare's (that is, to present a story and weave in history) is a good one, and this has helped me to further enjoy this play. This particular play kept me interested because Richard reminded me of Mr. Klimas in his evil ways. =) In my opinion it was well written (if not a little exaggerated) and a good play.