During my research for this paper I learned that, in comparison to the other Shakespearian plays,The Comedy of Errorshas been only relatively little reviewed and criticized. The play ranks withLove’s Labours LostandThe Two Gentlemen of Veronato the so-called Early Comedies, and therefore some scholars deem the style not as refined and as perfect as in Shakespeare’s later plays. Some even consider the play not to be written by the master himself but to be “the work of an inferior playwright, a bookish exercise, or an apprentice piece”1, which was only lectured by Shakespeare. They say that the play is an adaptation toMenaechmiby Plautus, but without its intensity, because the main focus lies on the comical elements of the play while Plautus stresses the tragedy in the story. ThereforeThe Comedy of Errorsis often seen in a very limited dimension.
In this paper I will show thatThe Comedy of Errorsis more than simply a poor adaptation of the ancient Plautine material and that “there is more substance to the play than the obvious noisy surface action, which seems often to have absorbed critics’ attention, to the exclusion of everything else.”
This quote is probably the best-known of the whole play and represents one of the main themes of the play. All the characters seem to be on a constant search for someone or something they have lost. After a short introduction to the play, its reception and its sources, the main focus of the paper will lie on the investigation of the lost and found theme inThe Comedy of Errors.This aspect will be enlightened from different angles and from the perspective of the play’s characters. The direct search for a person will be analyzed as well as the seeking for love, harmony, family and identity.
Table of Contents
- I. Introduction
- II. Main Part
- 1. The play
- 1.1. First publication
- 1.2. Form and structure
- 1.3. The plot
- 1.4. The reception
- 1.5. The sources
- 2. The lost and found theme
- 2.1. Egeon
- 2.2. Antipholus of Syracuse
- 2.3. Antipholus of Ephesus
- 2.4. Adriana and Luciana
- 2.5. Emilia
- 2.6. Dromio of Syracuse and Dromio of Ephesus
- 2.7. Goldsmith, Merchant, Courtesan
- 1. The play
- III. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to demonstrate that Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors is a more substantial work than often perceived, moving beyond its reputation as a simple adaptation of Plautus' Menaechmi. It argues that the play possesses significant depth beyond its comedic surface. The analysis will focus primarily on the "lost and found" theme, exploring its various manifestations throughout the play.
- The "lost and found" theme as a central motif
- The play's stylistic features and their contribution to its comedic effect
- Comparisons between The Comedy of Errors and its sources
- The exploration of identity and mistaken identity
- The portrayal of love, family, and harmony within the narrative
Chapter Summaries
I. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context of the paper by highlighting the relative lack of critical attention given to The Comedy of Errors compared to other Shakespearean plays. It challenges the common perception of the play as a superficial or inferior work, suggesting that its comedic surface obscures a deeper thematic complexity. The chapter introduces the central theme of "lost and found" and outlines the paper's approach to analyzing this theme through the lens of different characters and their individual quests.
II. Main Part: 1. The play: This section provides background information on The Comedy of Errors, discussing its uncertain origins and first publication in the 1623 First Folio. It then analyzes the play's structure, noting its adherence to the five-act structure common to Shakespearean plays, its use of both verse and prose, and its relatively short length. The chapter highlights the diverse language styles used by different characters, which contribute to the comedic effect and reflect different worldviews. This is contrasted to longer Shakespearean works where time is more fluid.
II. Main Part: 2. The lost and found theme: This chapter undertakes a detailed investigation into the central theme of "lost and found" across various characters in The Comedy of Errors. It explores how this theme manifests not only in the literal search for lost individuals (like the twins) but also in broader searches for love, family, and personal identity. Each character's individual experiences and quests contribute to a rich and nuanced exploration of this pervasive theme within the overall narrative of the play.
Keywords
Shakespeare, The Comedy of Errors, lost and found, comedy, mistaken identity, Plautus, Menaechmi, early comedies, thematic analysis, character studies, literary criticism.
Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of an academic paper analyzing Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors. It includes the table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the main themes explored in the paper?
The central theme is "lost and found," explored through various manifestations: literal searches for lost individuals (the twins), and broader searches for love, family, and personal identity. The paper also examines the play's stylistic features, comparisons to its sources (Plautus' Menaechmi), mistaken identity, and the portrayal of love, family, and harmony.
What is the overall argument of the paper?
The paper argues that The Comedy of Errors is a more substantial work than often perceived, possessing significant thematic depth beyond its comedic surface. It challenges the view that it is merely a simple adaptation of Plautus' Menaechmi.
What aspects of the play are analyzed in the paper?
The analysis covers various aspects: the play's first publication, form and structure (including its use of verse and prose), plot, reception, sources, and a detailed character-by-character examination of the "lost and found" theme.
How is the "lost and found" theme explored?
The "lost and found" theme is explored by examining how it manifests in the experiences of each character: Egeon, Antipholus of Syracuse, Antipholus of Ephesus, Adriana, Luciana, Emilia, and both Dromios. The analysis also considers how this theme relates to the search for love, family, and personal identity.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into three main parts: an introduction, a main part divided into sections focusing on the play itself and the "lost and found" theme, and a conclusion. The main part includes a detailed analysis of the characters and their respective roles in developing the central theme.
What are the key sources referenced in the paper?
The primary source is Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors. The paper also references Plautus' Menaechmi as a significant source and makes comparisons between the two works.
What kind of academic approach does the paper take?
The paper employs a thematic analysis, focusing on the "lost and found" theme as a central motif. It also incorporates character studies and literary criticism to support its arguments.
What are the keywords associated with the paper?
The keywords include: Shakespeare, The Comedy of Errors, lost and found, comedy, mistaken identity, Plautus, Menaechmi, early comedies, thematic analysis, character studies, literary criticism.
- Quote paper
- Conny Schibisch (Author), 2006, The Comedy of Errors - Investigation on the lost & found theme in Shakespeare's shortest play, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/66870
