Analytical Comparison of The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare and The Parent Trap by Nancy Meyers
How has comic concerns and comic techniques developed and changed over time? As society innovates, the humor associated with that society innovates as well. This exploration illustrates the extent on which narratives, comic techniques, characters, and thematic concerns have changed with the passage of time by comparing The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare (pre-20th century) and The Parent Trap directed by Nancy Meyers (post 20th century). In both examples, the entire plotline of the play is based on an extremely improbable and absurd set of circumstances heightening the opportunity for humor and detaching any conception of realism …show more content…
In The Comedy of Errors separation is depicted through not only the initial separation of the two sets of twins at the start of the play, but also the separation of Egeon and his wife Emilia. Likewise, in The Parent Trap, the actual movie begins with the separation of the parents which then leads to the separation of the twins. Besides the literal level, according to Petronella, the theme of separation is associated and achieved with the elements of chaos, confusion, and illogicality in the rising action and climax which is balanced by the theme of the union which is linked to logic, peace, and order in the falling action and resolution (Petronella, 1974). In Shakespeare’s play, the reconciliation of Antipholus of Ephesus and Adriana’s marriage, the possible marriage of Antipholus of Syracuse and Luciana, the reunion of Egeon and Emilia, and the reunion of both sets of twins represents the theme of the union. Likewise, in The Parent Trap, in the end, both parents reunite and fall in love again and the twins finally get to live together. Thus, despite the differences in the time period, in addition to the reunion of the family between mother and father, husband and wife, parents and children, in both examples there is a great emphasis on the restoration of the nuclear family. Nonetheless, one thematic difference in The Parent Trap is the strong presence of the theme of divorce as it addresses associated elements such as child custody, remarriage and step-parents, and struggles faced by the children of separated parents. Thus, it is important to note that the themes addressed in comedy are often reflections of the society in which they are performed
How has comic concerns and comic techniques developed and changed over time? As society innovates, the humor associated with that society innovates as well. This exploration illustrates the extent on which narratives, comic techniques, characters, and thematic concerns have changed with the passage of time by comparing The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare (pre-20th century) and The Parent Trap directed by Nancy Meyers (post 20th century). In both examples, the entire plotline of the play is based on an extremely improbable and absurd set of circumstances heightening the opportunity for humor and detaching any conception of realism …show more content…
In The Comedy of Errors separation is depicted through not only the initial separation of the two sets of twins at the start of the play, but also the separation of Egeon and his wife Emilia. Likewise, in The Parent Trap, the actual movie begins with the separation of the parents which then leads to the separation of the twins. Besides the literal level, according to Petronella, the theme of separation is associated and achieved with the elements of chaos, confusion, and illogicality in the rising action and climax which is balanced by the theme of the union which is linked to logic, peace, and order in the falling action and resolution (Petronella, 1974). In Shakespeare’s play, the reconciliation of Antipholus of Ephesus and Adriana’s marriage, the possible marriage of Antipholus of Syracuse and Luciana, the reunion of Egeon and Emilia, and the reunion of both sets of twins represents the theme of the union. Likewise, in The Parent Trap, in the end, both parents reunite and fall in love again and the twins finally get to live together. Thus, despite the differences in the time period, in addition to the reunion of the family between mother and father, husband and wife, parents and children, in both examples there is a great emphasis on the restoration of the nuclear family. Nonetheless, one thematic difference in The Parent Trap is the strong presence of the theme of divorce as it addresses associated elements such as child custody, remarriage and step-parents, and struggles faced by the children of separated parents. Thus, it is important to note that the themes addressed in comedy are often reflections of the society in which they are performed