Abstract: Many generations of Indian student graduates/undergraduates have studied a play of Shakespeare or prescribed text book/a scene from Shakespeare/play. The poems and the verbal wit in romantic comedies make us to laugh. It is this humour which is like the sunshine. It enlivens even the most sorrowful moments of life. in this paper, I analyse his four great Romantic comedies—“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, “As You Like It”, “The Merchant of Venice” and “Twelfth Night”. These are the four plays which are like pillars in an edifice.
Keywords: Appearance, attire, chronic, device, disguise, enliven, fun, humane, humanity, humour, immaturity, imperfections, morbid, realism, …show more content…
For more than 350 years, his plays are watched by eager audiences all over the world on stage, in movies and on television. People read his plays again and again for the sheer pleasure. 2016 marks the 400 the death anniversary of Shakespeare. So it is time to honour the literary legend. On this occasion, I want to analyse the humour of Shakespeare in his plays in this (seminar) paper. Shakespeare is the greatest humourist in English Literature. His humour is versatile and has many facets. Humanity is the central trait of Shakespeare’s humour. His humour is generally impartial, objective, genial, humour and humane. When the occasion demands, he can also be grim and satirical chronic and morbid. He is considerable and sympathetic to humour Imperfections. His humour is more than a laughter producing power. It is a presence and a pervading influence throughout his major plays. In the earliest period, Shakespeare has a keen sense of humour. His humour is unmistakably genial and human. He does not laugh at the …show more content…
Humour in this play issues from situations and Bottom’s character. Bottom’s the first great Fool, says Edward Dowden, “is incomparably a finer efflorescence of the absurd than any preceding character of Shakespeare’s invention.” (Shakespeare: 361). He is the best wit of Athens. His self-complacency reaches the climax. Even the amorous advances of the fairy queen, Titania, do not disturb his balance and composure. It is a fusion of both laughter and delight. Titania, whose very being is spun out of air and dew fondles Bottom and sticks must roses on his hairy head. She says to