The Seriousness of in Shakespeares Comedy of Errors...

The Seriousness of The Comedy of Errors The Comedy of Errors has often been dismissed as a mere farce, unworthy of any serious attention. Yet, when the author is Shakespeare, even a farce is well worth a second look. Shakespeare himself may have takent his comedic work quite seriously, for audiences expected comedy of his day not only to entertain, but also to morally instruct. It is not surprising, therefore, that for one of his earliest comedies, Shakespeare found a model in the plays of Plautus and Terence, which were studied in all Elizabethan Grammar Schools, praised by schoolmasters, and critically respectable. (Muir 3) The Menaechmi was the first Plautus play to appear in translation, and was a popular†¦show more content†¦The scholarly use of the classic comedies came not without controversy. These texts became well marked sites of ideological struggle (4). Not every educator was convinced that the works of these playwrights, who display so zestfully lust, avarice, and deceit (4) were suitable for impressionable young students. Yet others, pointing out such edifying cases as Messenio warning his master about the peril of fallen women in The Menaechmi (Riehle 34), emphasized the moral utility of the texts (Muir 4-5). One Sir Thomas Elyot argued eloquently that the comedies were a picture or as it were a mirrour of mans life, wherein iuell is nat taught but discouered; to the intent that men beholdynge the promptnes of youth into vice, the snares of harlotts and baudes laide for yonge myndes, the disceipts of seruantes, the chaunces of fortune contrary to mennes expectation, they being thereof warned may prepare them selfe to resist or preuente occasion. Semblably remembring the wisedomes, aduertisements, consailes, dissuasion from vice, and other profitable sentences, most eloquently and familiarely shewed in those comedies, undoubtedly there shall be no little frute out of them gathered. The works of Plautus and Terence were considered just as useful as dramatic models as they were academic primers. Renaissance critics felt that comedy, as well as tragedy, should mingle moral instruction with delight (Muir 3). As the inheritors of aShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Menaechmus And Comedy Of Errors955 Words   |  4 PagesBrothers Menaechmus and Comedy of Errors Titus Maccius Pluatus moved to Rome from Umbria as a young boy. In the early 200s B.C.E, he began adapting Greek comedies into plays meant for a Roman audience. Plautus’ The Brothers of Menaechmus, became a source for Shakespeare’s’ play, Comedy of Errors. Shakespeare expands the story line of The Brothers of Menaechmus for his Comedy of Errors. 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