Features of a Shakespearean Comedy

1. The plot is almost never true to life 2. Hero and heroine are figures of romance: beautiful, gallant, witty, charming heroines tend to dominate the comedies Sha espeare does not po e fun at his heroines the heroes are often playfully moc ed !. "it pun, #uips, repartee and wordplay are everywhere $. %usical language blan verse, lyrical, light, sweet, playful &. 'iteral music many songs (. )se of disguises, and related to this several cases of mista en identity *these of course set up complications in the plot, fulfil the audience+s e,pectations, it sets up complicated character situations since a disguised character is practically two persons- 1 for the other characters in the play and 2 for the spectators who en.oy being in the now. This two sided situation creates opportunities for veiled allusions, double meaning, dramatic irony and subtlety of dialogue /. %arriages 0 at the beginning, middle or end is a focal point of these comedies 1. 2ully developed characters who are interesting and attractive 3. The #uality of happiness a serene happiness is li ely to develop into merriment in the conclusion, yet threatening to become serious at times 14. Set in a continental or %editerranean bac ground 11. 5 clown or a fool these not only function to initiate humour, but they reveal truths that are often overloo ed by others 12. "itty dialogue among the gentry 1!. Stories dealing with merchants and mercantile life 1$. 'ove and friendship among persons of high ran