Shakespeare's Comedy vs. Tragedy
Shakespeare's Comedy vs. TragedyCertain parallels can be drawn between William Shakespeare's plays, "A Midsummer Night's Dream", and "Romeo and Juliet". These
parallels concern themes and prototypical Shakespearian character
types. Both plays have a distinct pair of �lovers', Hermia and
Lysander, and Romeo and Juliet, respectively. Both plays could have
also easily been tragedy or comedy with a few simple changes. A tragic
play is a play in which one or more characters is has a moral flaw
that leads to his/her downfall. A comedic play has at least one
humorous character, and a successful or happy ending. Comparing these
two plays is useful to find how Shakespeare uses similar character
types in a variety of plays, and the versatility of the themes which
he uses.
In "Romeo and Juliet", Juliet is young, "not yet fourteen",
and she is beautiful, and Romeo's reaction after he sees her is,
"O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
As a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear
Beauty to rich for use, for the earth too dear!"
Juliet is also prudent, "Although I joy in thee, I have no joy in this
contract tonight. It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden." She
feels that because they have just met, they should abstain from sexual
intercourse.
Hermia is also young, and prudent. When Lysander suggests that
"One turf shall serve as a pillow for both of us, One heart, one bed,
two bosoms, and one troth," Hermia replies "Nay, good Lysander. For my
sake, my dear, Lie further off yet; do not lie so near." Although
this couple has known each other for a while (Romeo and Juliet knew
each other for one night when the above quote was spoken), Hermia also
abstains from even sleeping near Lysander even though she believes he
does not have impure intentions.
Romeo's and Juliet's families are feuding. Because of these
feuds, their own parents will not allow the lovers to see each other.
In the a differnet way Hermia is not allowed to marry Lysander.
Hermia's father Egeus says to Theseus, Duke of Athens,
"Full of vexation come I, with complaint
Against my child, my daughter Hermia.
Stand fourth, Demetrius. My noble lord,
This man hath my consent to marry her.
Stand forth, Lysander. And, my gracious Duke,
This man hath bewitched the bosom of...
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