The Shrew: Notes (2)

Types and stereotypes

• The Commedia del'arte
  http://web.UVic.CA/shakespeare/Library/SLT/drama/commedia.html


• Morality plays
  http://web.UVic.CA/shakespeare/Library/SLT/drama/moralities.html


• Roman comedy
  http://web.UVic.CA/shakespeare/Library/SLT/drama/classicalcomedy.html

The Second Plot (Bianca and Her Suitors)

• Structure: the careful -- and obvious -- expositions (1.1)


• Plots that are "given" rather than motivated -- Lucentio's love (1.1.147)


• Theme: Money, as Baptista "plays a merchant's part" (2.1.324)


• Comedy of situation (the "Latin" and "music" lessons [3.1.])


• Farce and comedy ("Enter Hortensio [as Litio] with his head broke" [2.1.141])
  Sir Philip Sidney's opinion:
  http://web.UVic.CA/shakespeare/Library/SLT/literature/sidney+1.html

---

This page last updated on 28 August 2006. © Michael Best, 2002.