The other day I found a new, really great PBS series called Shakespeare Uncovered. It’s a six part series that specifically deconstructs a number of the plays while also providing general commentary and analysis concerning our favorite bard. Or, to let them describe it (from their website):
“The films combine interviews with actors, directors and scholars, along with visits to key locations, clips from some of the most celebrated film and television adaptations, and illustrative excerpts from the plays staged specially for the series at Shakespeare’s Globe in London.”
Right up my alley. And, in a fortuitous turn, one of the episodes focuses on analyzing all of Shakespeare’s comedies, with specific attention paid to As You Like It and Twelfth Night. I thought this would be a great opportunity to look back at what I have read (almost all of the comedies at this point) and contemplate a bit on where I am (actually, where I have been) with all of this. This was a good idea, as the episode in question was great, basically a deep-dive into these two plays coupled with a whole bunch of critical analysis on the man, his times, and his great contributions to Western art, all through the comic lens. Take this quote from the episode, from Dr. Jonathan Bate:
“Historically, people have paid more attention to Shakespeare’s tragedies and histories than his comedies, and that’s a huge mistake, in terms of thinking about what it is to be human, what it is to live in society, and above all, what it’s like to live in personal relationships….men and women together…families. The comedies are the place where Shakespeare really works that out in a profound way.”
I like that and I agree. Something about this genre, at least in Shakespearean terms, that really gets to the bottom of things, ya know? Indeed, as I move on to the other genres, I will be keeping this quote in the back of my mind, perhaps revisiting it later in this blog (I know, you can hardly wait). Why is Bate’s quote so true, or at least so true-sounding? What is it about the comic genre that lends itself so well to profound depictions of our personal humanity?
Welcome back....to try to answer your last question (hesitantly). People, in general, do not live a "Macbeth" life. They come much closer to living a comedic life most of the time. We love to laugh at ourselves and others - it's a human characteristic, and laughter is one of the things that keeps us going. Perhaps it's easier to look at our problems and situations with a smile than with a frown.
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