Comparing Measure for Measure and The Merchant of Venice, As You Like I

Parallels between notice for broadside and The Merchant of Venice, As You Like It, and one-twelfth NightWhat is comedy? take a hop and Wagnalls New Encyclopedia says A comedy depicts the follies and absurdities of human beings. Websters Dictionary defines comedy as A drama or narrative with a happy ending. Shakespeares play, handbill for Measure, fits both of these descriptions. Follies and absurdities are present in the play Lucio slanders the Duke, not realizing that his crude remarks are being spoken to the Duke himself Angelo abuses his power thinking that the Duke is not present to accredit and Ragozine happens to die in prison the day a head is needed to substitute for Claudios. The play to a fault ends on several merry notes, consistent with the description of comedy. For example, Angelos life is spared and he is forgiven Mariana is married to Angelo the Duke punishes Lucio humorously with marriage Barnardine is pardoned and Claudio is saved. The parallels between Measur e for Measure and three other Shakespearean comedies, The Merchant of Venice, As You Like It, and duodecimal Night, also help to classify Measure for Measure as a comedy. In Measure for Measure, like in The Merchant of Venice, As You Like It, and twelfth Night, an arbitrary law or obstacle is eventually overcome a disguised character affects the outcome of the play a clown adds humor to the maculation a female character bears a large responsibility for the final resolution and forgiveness and reconciliation mark the conclusion of the action. Some critics consider Measure for Measure a dark play because of the serious obstacles encountered by the characters. However, doesnt The Merchant of Venice also have near-tragic hindrances that af... ... only does Measure for Measure fit the definition of comedy, it also parallels Shakespeares other comedies. Like The Merchant of Venice, As You Like It, and Twelfth Night, the plot of Measure for Measure overcomes an adversarial obstacle, p ossesses a disguised character who affects the denouement, touches the audience with the humor of a clown or ruffian, endures the influence of a powerful a female character, and ends with forgiveness and reconciliation. The similarities between Measure for Measure and The Merchant of Venice, As You Like It, and Twelfth Night help to place Measure for Measure in the same category with Shakespeares other comedies. Furthermore, the problems many critics single out in Measure for Measure are also present in The Merchant of Venice, As You Like It, and Twelfth Night, and further help to classify Measure for Measure as a comedy.