tragedy vs comedy

[calexbg]

im having a debate in english class on monday about whether shakespeare was better at writing comedies or tragedies, if you would be so kind as to post which genre you think he was best at and why you think so,I would be very much obliged. or you can email me at [email protected] withthe topic of shakespeare.

[Eadaoin]

well, all of the "greats" (Othello, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Julius Ceasar...etc...) were tragedies, but what made his plays stand out and last was that the groundlings rather enjoyed his comic relief...I don't know if you're aware, but none of his ideas for plot or story line were original...there were thousands of other versions of the same things...what made Shakespeare's versions different is his sonnets, soliloquies, double entendre, and the comic relief.

Hope this helps a little...

[IWilKikU]

I just saw a production of Richard III at Shakespeare's Globe in London. Its one of his great histories/tragedies. While it is grusome and full of murder, hate, vengence, and nasty stuff of that sort, It was impossible to watch it unfold and not laugh a bit. Even his most horrific works still make you laugh. That's why he was the best Tragedian.

I also saw The Taming of the Shrew at the Globe. Even though it was hilarious from start to finish, there were moving moments that brought tears to the eyes of some of the less masculine patrons, and times that the entire audience held thier breath. The suspense and Drama that he creates throughout his comodies are what made him the best comical dramatist.

So either way, the reason that he's good is his ability to seemlessly weave the two genres together.