Tragic Knowledge, Comedic Idiocy
Ignorance is bliss. Shakespeare gives the idea that it is better to know nothing and be happy-go-lucky instead of knowing everything and dreading the future. The playwright knew that the majority of the audience were members of the lower classes. Therefore, Shakespeare enabled the masses to incorporate these philosophies via the lower class parts. In A Midsummer Night's Dream, a comedy, Shakespeare portrays the craftsmen as unenlightened and merry individuals who just serve as entertainment for the ruling classes, while the servants in Richard II, a tragedy, often know more than the aristocracy which often leads them to be cynical. Shakespeare changes the role of the commoners between ...
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the lower classes what would result due to their actions.
The commoners in A Midsummer Night's Dream are horrible actors that don't have a clue. The only commoner that shows any sense is Quince, who directs the whole bunch (which is probably Shakespeare blowing his own horn, as all directors believe they are intelligent). Bottom is a prima donna who hams everything up without realizing. Flute worships the ground that Bottom walks upon and so he pathetically attempts to emulate Bottom. Snug is extremely obtuse, as he needs help to play the part of the lion, who merely roars. Starveling is never taken seriously, especially during the interlude, when Hippolyta, who worships Diana, the moon goddess, complains, "I am aweary of this moon. Would he would change!" (V, i, 245) Snout is insecure and fears that his acting won't suffice, for he makes sure that the audience recognizes him as Wall. He has reason to be insecure, because his acting is horrible, as Theseus comments, "Would you ...
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and walked away, just acting normally will lead to better things.
If A Midsummer Night's Dream showed that ignorance leads to bliss, Richard II shows that knowledge will lead to downfall or despair. Richard had three servants: Bushy. Bagot, and Green. These three were just lowly workers; they held no lands or titles; they were never involved in policy-changing decisions. These three servants knew everything that was going on in the aristocratic world. The three often surprised the royalty with the information they knew. This knowledge did not lead to their salvation. Bushy and Green end up being killed along with the Earl of Wiltshire. Bagot is left to fade away into the unwashed ...
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Tragic Knowledge, Comedic Idiocy. (2005, January 5). Retrieved April 29, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Tragic-Knowledge-Comedic-Idiocy/20106
"Tragic Knowledge, Comedic Idiocy." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 5 Jan. 2005. Web. 29 Apr. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Tragic-Knowledge-Comedic-Idiocy/20106>
"Tragic Knowledge, Comedic Idiocy." Essayworld.com. January 5, 2005. Accessed April 29, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Tragic-Knowledge-Comedic-Idiocy/20106.
"Tragic Knowledge, Comedic Idiocy." Essayworld.com. January 5, 2005. Accessed April 29, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Tragic-Knowledge-Comedic-Idiocy/20106.
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