NAVIGATION: Index of Dr. Weller's Class Materials Index of English 450 Materials

Image Clusters and Themes in Shakespeare's Comedies
A Midsummer Night's Dream:
The moon, including references to Diana, the goddess associated with the moon.
The imagination, including the discussions of dramatic representation by Peter Quince, Bottom, and the rest of their crew.
The Taming of the Shrew:
Madness. -- You could start by searching for the word "mad."
Obedience. -- See in particular the last scene of the play.
The Merchant of Venice:
Bargains. -- It is often said that the play has three plot threads: 1) The pound of flesh. 2) The choosing of the caskets. 3) The keeping of the rings. Each one involves a bargain of some kind.
Money. -- Wealth, gold, borrowing, and lending are mentioned in practically every scene of the play.
Much Ado About Nothing:
Noting. -- "Nothing" and "Noting" were probably homonyms in Shakespeare's time, and the play contains a great deal of "noting" (overhearing things and drawing conclusions).
Wit. -- Both Benedick and Beatrice have reputations as wits, and those reputations affect how they are seen and how they interact with others.
As You Like It:
The court vs. the country. -- Characters are constantly making comparisons.
Foolery. -- Touchstone is a fool and Jacques wants to be a fool.
Twelfth Night:
Sir Toby Belch v. Malvolio -- The clash of fundamentally different outlooks on life.
Mistaken Identity -- Characters are constantly making mistakes about the identities of both others and themselves.