Shakespeare’s comedies are filled with witty banter, clever wordplay, and timeless humour that still resonates today—if actors know how to bring it out. While some jokes may seem archaic, the core of Shakespeare’s humour is rooted in human behaviour, relationships, and social quirks, which are universally relatable. For modern actors, the challenge is in making the humour feel fresh and engaging, allowing the audience to connect with the wit and energy of the scenes. In this piece, we’ll explore types of humour in Shakespeare’s comedies and techniques actors can use to deliver them effectively for a contemporary audience.
Types of Humour in Shakespearean Comedy
Shakespeare’s comedies are built on a rich variety of humorous elements, from physical antics to sophisticated wordplay. Here are some of the common types of humour you’ll encounter:
- Wordplay and Puns: Shakespeare loved clever wordplay, especially puns and double meanings. Characters often engage in witty exchanges, twisting language for humour, as seen with Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet: “Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man.” The pun here (using “grave” to mean both serious and dead) combines dark humour with a linguistic twist.
- Innuendo: Many of Shakespeare’s plays contain bawdy humour and double entendres. These can be as subtle as veiled references to love and courtship or as direct as the banter in Much Ado About Nothing, where Beatrice quips, “I wonder that you will still be talking, Signior Benedick; nobody marks you.” Her sarcastic barb adds humour through mockery, implying Benedick’s verbosity and need for attention.
- Physical Comedy: Shakespeare often includes slapstick and exaggerated physical behaviour. Characters like Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night and Falstaff in Henry IV rely on physicality for laughs, whether through stumbling, exaggerated gestures, or awkward attempts at bravery or romance.
- Situational Irony and Mistaken Identity: Many comedic scenes rely on mistaken identity or situational irony, where characters are unaware of crucial information that the audience knows. For instance, in A Comedy of Errors, two sets of twins are mistaken for each other, leading to a series of chaotic and humorous misunderstandings.
- Satire and Social Commentary: Shakespeare pokes fun at societal norms and conventions, often using his humour to critique class, gender roles, and authority. In As You Like It, the satirical character Jaques delivers a humorous critique of life itself, famously comparing the world to a stage.
Techniques for Bringing Out the Humour
- Understand the Meaning Behind the Words
- Shakespearean humour is deeply tied to language, so understanding the literal and implied meanings of each line is essential. Take the time to study the context and connotations behind the jokes, especially puns and wordplay. If your character uses a double entendre, like Beatrice’s witty barbs, consider the implied insult or innuendo and deliver it with clear intent, so that even if the specific wordplay is old-fashioned, the humour remains accessible.
- Play with Timing and Pauses
- Timing is crucial in comedy, and Shakespeare’s scripts often include cues through rhythm and punctuation. Try experimenting with pauses to let the humour land. For instance, when delivering a pun or sarcastic line, a slight pause after the punchline gives the audience a chance to catch the joke. In Much Ado About Nothing, when Benedick says, “I do much wonder that one man, seeing how much another man is a fool when he dedicates his behaviours to love, will… become the argument of his own scorn by failing in love.” Giving a moment for the irony to land makes the humour more effective.
- Exaggerate with Intention
- Physical comedy and exaggerated gestures can enhance humour, especially with characters who are written to be ridiculous or over-the-top. In Twelfth Night, Sir Toby Belch’s drunken antics become funnier when played with exaggerated swagger and an unsteady gait. Similarly, actors can embrace a big, silly physicality with Sir Andrew Aguecheek’s awkwardness, amplifying his foolishness through clumsy gestures and facial expressions. The key is to ensure that these choices serve the character’s personality and context, keeping the comedy grounded in the scene.
- Embrace the Character’s Confidence in Their Own Humour
- Shakespearean characters often deliver humour with full confidence, even if the joke itself is terrible or falls flat. For instance, in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Falstaff is blissfully unaware of his own absurdity, which makes his lines funnier. Deliver the line with the character’s conviction—acting as if they truly believe they’re being clever—can help the humour land, even if it’s cringeworthy. By embodying the character’s self-assurance, you invite the audience to laugh along, appreciating the character’s delusion or misplaced confidence.
- Engage with Your Scene Partners and the Audience
- Humour is social, so engaging with your scene partners and even the audience (when appropriate) can amplify its impact. For example, in scenes with Beatrice and Benedick, much of the humour comes from their chemistry and playful antagonism. Build eye contact and react naturally to their lines, making it feel like a true sparring match. In soliloquies, like those of Jaques in As You Like It, a subtle nod or glance to the audience can make them feel in on the joke, enhancing the comedic effect.
- Let the Humour Emerge from the Situation
- Shakespeare’s humour often stems from situational irony, so focus on the absurdity of the scene rather than forcing a laugh. In The Comedy of Errors, much of the humour comes from the chaos of mistaken identity. Embrace the confusion of the scene; let the humour emerge from your genuine reaction to the unfolding events. When your character is sincerely bewildered or frustrated, the audience is more likely to find the situation funny, even if they’re aware of the characters’ mistaken identities.
- Use Body Language to Amplify Wordplay
- Many of Shakespeare’s jokes benefit from corresponding physical gestures, especially in scenes with bawdy humour or sarcasm. A character might raise an eyebrow, tilt their head, or smirk to emphasise an innuendo. For example, when delivering lines with double meanings, such as some of Puck’s cheekier comments in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, pairing the line with a mischievous grin or knowing glance adds another layer to the humour. Body language helps reinforce the intent behind the words and brings out subtleties that may not be obvious in the text alone.
Adapting Shakespearean Humour for Modern Audiences
Shakespearean humour can sometimes feel distant to modern audiences due to language shifts and historical context. However, by focusing on universal emotions and reactions—like the frustration of unrequited love, the embarrassment of mistaken identity, or the ego of a foolish character—actors can bridge the gap. Playing the humour sincerely, with an emphasis on emotion and character motivations, allows the comedy to resonate naturally.
Additionally, take the opportunity to work with the director and fellow actors to interpret or clarify lines when needed. A simple gesture or change in pacing can make a line’s meaning clearer without altering the text, helping the audience follow the humour. Remember that even though the language may be old-fashioned, the humour is timeless when the actors genuinely engage with the characters and the scene.
Closing Thoughts
Delivering Shakespearean comedy for a modern audience requires balancing respect for the original text with the creativity to make the humour relatable. By mastering techniques like timing, physicality, and character interaction, actors can unlock the wit, satire, and playfulness embedded in Shakespeare’s work. Humour transcends language and time, and with careful attention to rhythm, tone, and delivery, actors can bring Shakespeare’s comedic genius to life in a way that feels fresh, fun, and universally enjoyable. Through this approach, Shakespeare’s humour becomes not just accessible but a source of genuine laughter that connects audiences across generations.