Student Question
What is the function of the setting in The Comedy of Errors?
Quick answer:
The setting in "The Comedy of Errors" serves multiple functions. By situating the play outside of England, Shakespeare can incorporate exotic customs and raise dramatic stakes with threats like a death penalty. The Greek world setting allows for historical and mythic references, enhancing character names and themes. As a port city, it facilitates numerous characters and action, including a shipwreck, while the wartime backdrop further heightens the tension.
There are several functions of setting in this play. Most simply, because it is set "somewhere else" (other than England), as a dramatist Shakespeare can use wild local customs. Since it is Asia Minor, he can use the customs of the exotic East, raising the stakes in the drama by the threat of a death penalty.
Since it is part of the Greek world, he can evoke lots of the historical/mythic references and use such names.
Since it is a port, he can expect lots of walk on characters (including unknown people) and lots of action (and the shipwreck); since it is at war he can make the stakes higher.
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