00022— On what grounds does Sidney disapprove of tragi-comedy?

Sidney disapproves of tragi-comedy (also tragicomedy) in the strongest possible words.  A tragicomedy presents the greatest violation of the Unity of Action in a play.  A tragicomedy is neither a pure tragedy nor a pure comedy but a mongrel breed of the two.  Therefore neither the admiration nor commiseration nor right spitefulness is produced by a tragicomedy.  In the right spirit a comedy should be full of delight, and a tragedy should produce pity, fear and admiration.  A tragicomedy produces neither pure delight nor pure compassion or admiration.  A comic scene in the midst of tragic scenes, or a tragic scene in the midst of comic scenes is not fit for ‘chaste ears’.  In conclusion Sidney says, “The whole tract of a comedy should be full of delight, as the tragedy should be still maintained in a well raised admiration.”  The tragicomedy fails in both.

However, Sidney’s observations on tragicomedy are based on the plays which were available to him in his time.  Shakespeare’s plays had not yet been written.  We know that Shakespear’s  tragicomedies are artistically developed and and highly successful plays.  Had Sidney seen Shakespear’s plays, he would have revised his views on tragicomedies.