Comedy in Twelfth NightComedy in Twelfth Night

Comic CharactersComic Characters

Sir Andrew AguecheekSir Andrew Aguecheek

Sir Toby Belch Sir Toby Belch Write down why you Write down why you think they are funny.think they are funny.

Think of names, Think of names, appearances, appearances, actions, speech.actions, speech.

Who says the following?Who says the following?What do we learn about them?What do we learn about them?

‘‘What is 'Pourquoi'? do What is 'Pourquoi'? do or not do? I would I or not do? I would I hadhadbestowed that time in bestowed that time in the tongues that I the tongues that I have inhave infencing, dancing and fencing, dancing and bear-baiting: O, had I bear-baiting: O, had I butbutfollowed the arts!’followed the arts!’

‘‘I'll drink toI'll drink toher as long as there is a her as long as there is a passage in my throat passage in my throat andanddrink in Illyria: he's a drink in Illyria: he's a coward and a coistrel coward and a coistrel (A (A

mean, paltry fellow; a coward)mean, paltry fellow; a coward) that will not drink to my that will not drink to my

niece till his brains turnniece till his brains turno' the toe like a parish-o' the toe like a parish-top.’top.’

Sir Toby is:Sir Toby is: A drunkardA drunkard InconsiderateInconsiderate After Sir Andrew’s After Sir Andrew’s

moneymoney

Sir Andrew is:Sir Andrew is: GullibleGullible StupidStupid cowardlycowardly

What do these two characters What do these two characters have in common?have in common?

FesteFeste – – in some versions in some versions known as the clown or the known as the clown or the fool.fool.

MariaMaria Write down why you Write down why you think they are think they are funny.funny.

Think of names, Think of names, speech, appearance, speech, appearance, actions.actions.

Are they funny in a Are they funny in a different way from different way from the other two?the other two?

Why?Why?

What sort of person is What sort of person is Malvolio?Malvolio?

How does How does Shakespeare make Shakespeare make him funny?him funny?

Look at these pictures. What do Look at these pictures. What do they tell us about the plot?they tell us about the plot?

Note down two Note down two contrasting scenes contrasting scenes that you found that you found amusing and amusing and explain why.explain why.

Here are some of the methods that Here are some of the methods that Shakespeare uses to create humourShakespeare uses to create humour

Mistaken identity Mistaken identity A funny name A funny name pun (includepun (include joke or trick played joke or trick played

on an unpopular on an unpopular character. character.

Slapstick and Slapstick and fooling aroundfooling around..

Clever wit Clever wit A ridiculous A ridiculous

charactercharacter RudenessRudeness

Writing your essayWriting your essay

Decide on the point Decide on the point you are making.you are making.

Find a quote or Find a quote or example to illustrate example to illustrate it.it.

Explore the quotation Explore the quotation or example:or example:

So remember: always So remember: always PEEPEE

PPoint oint EExample xample EExplanationxplanation

Shakespeare uses Shakespeare uses plays on words and plays on words and puns to make the puns to make the audience laugh.audience laugh.

When in the letter When in the letter scene Malvolio talks of scene Malvolio talks of Olivia’s ‘Olivia’s ‘great P's great P's ’’

Shakespeare is Shakespeare is making a pun on the making a pun on the word ‘P’ which can be word ‘P’ which can be a letter or have a a letter or have a ruder meaning.ruder meaning.

Essay TitleEssay Title

Do you think ‘Twelfth Night’ is only a Do you think ‘Twelfth Night’ is only a comedy?comedy?

Look at the techniques Shakespeare has Look at the techniques Shakespeare has used to make it funny.used to make it funny.

Then look at the serious elements.Then look at the serious elements.Finally give your personal opinion.Finally give your personal opinion.

Remember you must quote and you Remember you must quote and you mustmust

PEEPEE