
Might as well. The Comedy of Errors is hard enough to accept as a premise as it is, but when it's basically the same joke over and over, it grows old fast. Fortunately it's also his shortest, so by the time you're sick of it, it'll be over. Rhyming couplets keep it fast and superficial. The dynamic and relationships of classes and genders keep it interesting, though frustrating from a 21st century pc state of mind. And a bit about comparing a woman's body to a globe, with various body parts symbolized by particular countries, is mildly amusing. However, it's mostly about mistaken identity. People continue to mistake Antipholus of Syracuse with Antipholus of Ephesus and Dromio of Syracuse with Dromio of Ephesus. They are, of course, confused and the hilarity ensues... and ensues and ensues and ensues until finally, it ends happily.
Not one of Shakespeare's best. I'd venture to guess it was mostly for the money. But mildly amusing nonetheless.
4 comments:
This semester I'm taking an entire Lit class devoted to Shakespeare. I have no idea yet what the reading list includes, but I hope there are some good comedies.
Definitely not my favourite by Shakespeare, but I went to this play a few summers ago and it was brilliantly acted I forgot it was a bit repetitive.
Stephanie: I want to like Shakespeare's comedies more than I have, but I think I remember enjoying A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Allison: Yeah, I'd still go and see it live.
My favourite Shakespeare comedy remains As You Like It.
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