'HOW FAR DOES THE SHAMING OF HERO IN ACT 4 SCENE 1 ALTER OUR VIEW OF MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING AS A COMEDY'
IT DOES ALTER OUR VIEW…
· The subject of unfaithfulness was a taboo in the Elizabethan era and an extremely sensitive one too, so the audience were fully aware of the tragic implications of being accused-Leanato’s response very much mirrors that of the Elizabethan audience.
· In conventional comedies, weddings are usually found in the resolution. In hindsight, the fact that the wedding is set in the complication of the play gives way to tension. This perhaps suggest that the occurrence of a tragic wedding (unlike Shakespeare’s other romantic comedies) makes the play much more of a tragedy rather than a comedy.
· Don John (low status) himself has elements of tragedy- he says that ‘his sadness is without limit’. This makes his plot to ruin the wedding even more sinister, making us wonder whether we should disregard or feel pity for him. Questions like these make the tragic elements of the play more poignant than the comic ones.
IT DOESN’T ALTER OUR VIEW…
· The modern day audience are not aware of the tragic implications of the play so, today, it is seen more as a comedy.
· It the same act, Beatrice and Benedick both admit their love for each other. This pivotal moment may provide comic effect since strong irony is present, making the play much more of a comedy.
· Characters like Dogberry provide light-hearted relief after the shaming of hero and help to diffuse the tension. Although it is tragic, the way that it is presented to us is comical.
· The subject of unfaithfulness was a taboo in the Elizabethan era and an extremely sensitive one too, so the audience were fully aware of the tragic implications of being accused-Leanato’s response very much mirrors that of the Elizabethan audience.
· In conventional comedies, weddings are usually found in the resolution. In hindsight, the fact that the wedding is set in the complication of the play gives way to tension. This perhaps suggest that the occurrence of a tragic wedding (unlike Shakespeare’s other romantic comedies) makes the play much more of a tragedy rather than a comedy.
· Don John (low status) himself has elements of tragedy- he says that ‘his sadness is without limit’. This makes his plot to ruin the wedding even more sinister, making us wonder whether we should disregard or feel pity for him. Questions like these make the tragic elements of the play more poignant than the comic ones.
IT DOESN’T ALTER OUR VIEW…
· The modern day audience are not aware of the tragic implications of the play so, today, it is seen more as a comedy.
· It the same act, Beatrice and Benedick both admit their love for each other. This pivotal moment may provide comic effect since strong irony is present, making the play much more of a comedy.
· Characters like Dogberry provide light-hearted relief after the shaming of hero and help to diffuse the tension. Although it is tragic, the way that it is presented to us is comical.