1. Shakespeare’s Comedies Men, Women, Mistaken Identity, Parting, Secrets, Misunderstanding AND It all works out in the end!

2. Christian Camargo, left, as Orlando and Juliet Rylance as Rosalind in the Bridge Project's production of "As You Like It" at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Photo: Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

3. Five-Act STRUCTURE 1Act I = intro characters, setting, basic problem to be overcome, disguises 2Act II = multiply misunderstandings, complicate relationships

4. A scene from Gordon Barr’s production of “Much Ado About Nothing” in Glasgow, Scotland, July 2008 Photo: Telegraph/uk

5. Five-Act STRUCTURE 3Act III = the “Oh, No!” moment of greatest misunderstanding & confusion by characters Shakespeare’s plots always have their denouements in the Third Act!

6. A scene from Aaron Posner’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Two River Theatre Company in Red Bank, New Jersey Photo: T Charles Erickson/nj.com

7. Five-Act STRUCTURE 4Act IV = unraveling of misunderstandings as their irrationality increases 5Act V = revelation of true identities & pairing up of the true couples, leading to marriage

8. A scene from Portland’s Center Stage production of “Twelfth Night” in Portland, Oregon, March 2008 Photo: Owen Carey

9. As you read Take note of when/where and HOW the structure of the play you are reading follows the typical Shakespearean comedic structure and how it deviates from it. Consider how the structure is related to the MOWW.