ABSTRACT
The same ideas, preoccupations, or themes inform Shakespeare's comedies from the very earliest to the three ‘dark’ or ‘problem’ comedies. On first acquaintance, the early comedies up to and including Twelfth Night invite such a rich and light-hearted enjoyment that it seems inappropriate to search in them for themes or judgements; indeed Shakespeare has not explicitly indicated any theme, nor invited any clear judgement. Nevertheless by tracing the recurring words, images, actions, and sentiments which are associated with Shakespeare's ideas in other more explicit works, and by regarding the contrasts and relationships invited by the interweaving of the comedies' multiple plots, it becomes evident that these comedies have been created around certain unifying ideas or themes, and that these themes have been manifested in the situations, development, and final resolution of their dramatic narratives, and in all the richness, humanity, and subtlety of Shakespeare's dialogue and characterization. Three main themes may be distinguished—the ideals of love's wealth, love's truth, and love's order—but they are combined and emphasized in many different ways, and alongside them, or rather, within them, many other themes are explored. They represent, in effect, a comprehensive and developing view of love and personal relationships, and of life itself as experienced through such relationships.
