Includes bibliographical references (p.258-259) and index.

Contents - General Editor's Preface - A Note on Editions - PART ONE: ANALYSING SHAKESPEARE'S COMEDIES - Introduction: The Nature of Shakespearean Comedy - Atmospherics - Sympathetic Criticism - Illusion - Romantic Sentiment - Wooing - Fools (1): Dupes - Fools (2): Clever Fools - Manlike Women - Odd Men Out - Set Pieces - Endings - General Conclusions to Part One - PART TWO: THE CONTEXT AND THE CRITICS - The Other Comedies and the Poems - Histories, Tragedies, and Last Plays - Theories of Comedy and Criticism of Shakespeare's Comedies - Further Reading - Index

Shakespeare's comedies combine charm and wit with probing intelligence. Through detailed analysis of passages from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like It and Twelfth Night,this book explores the satire and sympathy, the linguistic variety, and the dramatic skill which make Shakespearean comedy both entertaining and profound. Part II suggests connections with the rest of Shakespeare's work, and concludes with a survey of comic theory and criticism devoted to the comedies.