This essay compares William Shakespeare's comedies "The Comedy of Errors" and "Twelfth Night" with regard to the characters' identity struggles. Both plays feature main characters who are twins. The plot of "The Comedy of Errors" focuses on the topic of mistaken identity, which causes the main characters to question their sense of self. The theme of mistaken identity also plays a role in "Twelfth Night". Additionally, this play raises questions about gender and traditional gender roles.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Motifs of the Double and Identity in The Comedy of Errors
3. Identity Struggles and Disguise in Twelfth Night
4. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary research objective of this essay is to analyze and compare the manifestations of identity crises, the motif of the double, and the effects of mistaken identity within William Shakespeare's plays The Comedy of Errors and Twelfth Night.
- The psychological impact of separation and the search for missing family members.
- The function of twins and doppelgängers in creating comic and serious identity conflicts.
- The influence of disguise and gender performance on personal identity in Twelfth Night.
- A comparison of how the two plays resolve or fail to resolve identity discrepancies.
Excerpt from the Book
The Motif of the Double and Identity Conflicts
The identical-looking twins in Shakespeare's comedies can be interpreted as doubles, or doppelgängers, of each other. According to Chava Schwarcz, a character whose appearance is mirrored by another person appears as early as in the second century B.C. in Plautus' romantic comedies (3). Some of these Plautine comedies – in particular the play Menaechmi – are among the sources for The Comedy of Errors and Twelfth Night (Lothian and Craik xlvii). The term 'doppelgänger' is generally used to describe a character who physically resembles another figure, which is why this figure may be confused with their 'doppelgänger' or even replaced by it (Schwarcz 3). Furthermore, the term can also refer to one person who appears in two manifestations (3). In Plautus' and Shakespeare's works, the chief function of doubles in the form of twins is a comical one. However, themes such as madness (3/4) and the possible loss of identity (8) accompany the comical effect, adding a more serious layer to The Comedy of Errors and Twelfth Night.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter defines the concept of identity, introduces the motif of the double, and outlines the essay's approach to analyzing identity struggles in the selected plays.
2. The Motifs of the Double and Identity in The Comedy of Errors: This section explores how the separation of twins leads to trauma, mistaken identity, and profound identity crises for the characters in The Comedy of Errors.
3. Identity Struggles and Disguise in Twelfth Night: This chapter examines how Viola's decision to disguise herself as Cesario creates unique identity challenges and complicates the characters' perceptions of self and gender.
4. Conclusion: This final section synthesizes the findings, noting that while identity conflicts are resolved through the reunion of the family in The Comedy of Errors, the resolution in Twelfth Night remains more ambiguous.
Keywords
Shakespeare, Identity, The Comedy of Errors, Twelfth Night, Doppelgänger, Mistaken Identity, Disguise, Gender, Separation, Trauma, Subjective Identity, Objective Identity, Twins, Renaissance, Belonging
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this academic paper?
The paper explores the complexities of identity, the psychological impact of being separated from family, and the role of the 'double' motif in Shakespeare's comedies.
Which Shakespearean plays are analyzed in this study?
The study focuses on The Comedy of Errors and Twelfth Night.
What is the primary research objective?
The essay aims to analyze how identity is constructed, lost, and negotiated by characters dealing with separation and mistaken identity in both plays.
Which theoretical concepts are applied?
The author uses concepts such as the 'doppelgänger' motif, the distinction between subjective and objective identity, and the sociological impact of gender performance and disguise.
What core themes are addressed in the main body?
The main body treats themes of separation, union, the confusion of names and roles, the trauma of displaced individuals, and the impact of disguises on personal integrity.
Which key terms characterize the discussion?
The discussion is characterized by terms like 'disunity', 'belonging', 'trauma', 'hybridity', 'mistaken identity', and 'the double'.
How does the experience of Egeon define the early conflict in The Comedy of Errors?
Egeon’s experience, starting with the shipwreck and the loss of his family, sets the stage for the identity confusion and alienation that the other characters face throughout the play.
Why is Viola’s disguise in Twelfth Night considered more complex than other instances of mistaken identity?
Viola’s disguise as Cesario is more complex because it involves a deliberate gender performance that creates an internal identity struggle and a sense of 'in-betweenness' that is not fully resolved by the play's end.
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- M.A. Silvia Schilling (Autor:in), 2019, Identity Struggles in William Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors" and "Twelfth Night", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/962599
