A comedy was a theatrical piece generally depicting the manners of the period, always of an amusing and cheerful character, a happy conclusion being one of the essential features. Some of Shakespeare’s so-called comedies almost verge on the side of tragedy, as, for instance, the plot of the “Merchant of Venice,” “The Winter’s Tale,” and others.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
QUINCE.
Is all our company here?
BOTTOM.
You were best to call them generally, man by man, according to the scrip.
QUIN.
Here is the scroll of every man’s name, which is thought fit, through all Athens, to play in our interlude before the Duke and the Duchess on his wedding-day at night.
BOT.
First, good Peter Quince, say what the play treats on; then read the names of the actors; and so grow to a point.