A Study of Atmospheric Poetics and Dramatic Flow in Shakespeare’s Dramas

Abstract

This paper studies the application of atmospheric poetics in Shakespeare’s comedies and tragedies. Two comedies and tragedies have been studied for detailed comparison. It explores how the atmosphere, ambience created, weather and sounds help to develop the plot and affect the characters' psychology. It studies how the atmosphere affects the readers and audiences' minds in comedy; Twelfth Night and The Comedy of Errors are chosen for study. In tragedy, Macbeth and King Lear are chosen for study. Shakespeare's backgrounds are not backdrops but reflect the mental states. Tragedy occurs at night and comedy occurs at daylight with decorative spaces. The soundscapes are also studied, where they produce dread in tragedy and laughter in comedy. The rhythmic flow of drama is studied in detail.