Happy Endings
Comedies typically conclude with a happy resolution, such as marriages or reconciliations, where the characters find happiness. Double marriages in particular are common. Some examples are the Claudio-Hero and Beatrice-Benedick pairs in “Much Ado About Nothing” or the Helena-Demetrius and Hermia-Lysander pairs in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.

Foils
Foils, characters that highlight opposite traits in another character, in Shakespeare’s comedies are essential for character development and dramatic contrast. They often contribute to the humor and complexity of the comedies’ narratives. One example is Petruchio to Lucentio in “The Taming of the Shrew”. Petrucio’s boisterous and unconventional methods, including his willingness to engage in verbal sparring with Katherine and his outrageous behavior, serve as a foil to Lucentio’s polite and respectful methods.

Fools
A recurring element of all of Shakespeare’s plays is the fool, who embodies the marriage of humor and wisdom. Some examples are Feste from “Twelfth Night”, a wise fool who speaks the truth both the characters inhabiting the world and the audience; Lavache from “All’s Well That Ends Well”, a darker and therefore less humorous fool; and Speed from “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, a witty servant.

Forest/Woodland Settings
Shakespeare’s comedies often take place in forest or woodland settings as enchanted backgrounds with the suggestion of magic. Some examples are the Athenian forest of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, which houses mischievous fairies like Puck or the Forest of Arden of “As You Like It”.

Love Triangles
Love triangles are a staple of Shakespeare’s comedies and provide a source for drama, angst, and humor in these plays. One example is the Proteus-Silvia-Valentine love triangle in “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, where Proteus initially loves Julia but forgets her upon meeting Silvia, the Duke’s daughter and the object of Valentine’s affections.

Forgiveness/Reconciliation
After the action of the play, after which many misunderstandings must have occurred, characters forgive each other. In “As You Like It”, Orlando seeks to reconcile with his estranged brother Oliver, who was jealous of Orlando’s virtues and potential to inherit. Orlando graciously forgives Oliver’s decision at the beginning of the play to send Orlando into exile.