Shakespeare uses iambic pentameter and prose to highlight character social status and psychological depth, reflecting both societal structures and personal complexities. His comedies incorporate devices like physical comedy and violations of hierarchy, showing his skill as a playwright in employing multiple comedic styles.
Shakespearean Comedy and Dramatic Forms
The use of iambic pentameter and prose in Shakespeare's plays often corresponds to character social status, with nobility speaking in verse and commoners in prose. Shakespeare's strategic use of language helps to reveal social class distinctions and character traits, making it a critical feature for literary analysis.
The fluidity with which characters like Hamlet shift between these forms can indicate psychological complexities or social commentaries, such as the thin line between sanity and madness, or the permeability of social hierarchies. It's also worth noting that many devices common to comedies, such as misunderstandings and mistaken identities, are prevalent in Shakespeare's works. These devices serve to both entertain and convey criticisms of societal norms or structures.
Throughout his works, Shakespeare also utilized comedic devices such as extreme physicality and the violation of social hierarchy, aspects typical of Commedia dell'Arte. These devices are not only entertaining but are instrumental in advancing the play's plot and developing its characters. Moreover, Shakespeare's adaptability in employing various forms of comedy, such as Comedy of Manners or Comedy of Character, showcases his versatility as a playwright and his understanding of the comedic genre.