Different types of comedy in literature. What is Comedy in Literature? Definition, Examples of Literary Comedy 2022-11-04

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Comedy in literature can take many different forms and styles, each with its own unique characteristics and appeal. Some of the different types of comedy in literature include:

  1. Satire: This type of comedy uses humor to critique or ridicule societal norms, political institutions, or individuals. Satire often exposes the flaws or hypocrisy of its targets through irony, mockery, or exaggeration. Some examples of satirical literature include "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift and "Candide" by Voltaire.

  2. Farce: Farce is a type of comedy that relies on physical humor, absurdity, and exaggeration. It often involves mistaken identities, misunderstandings, and ridiculous situations. Farce is meant to be lighthearted and entertaining, rather than thought-provoking or insightful. Examples of farce in literature include "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare.

  3. Parody: Parody is a type of comedy that imitates the style or form of a serious work in a humorous or satirical way. It can be used to mock or poke fun at the original work, or to make a commentary on it. Examples of parody in literature include "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" by Seth Grahame-Smith and "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams.

  4. Black comedy: Black comedy, also known as dark humor, is a type of comedy that deals with subjects that are usually considered taboo or off-limits, such as death, suffering, or violence. It often uses humor to soften the blow of these dark subjects, or to highlight their absurdity. Examples of black comedy in literature include "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" by Leo Tolstoy and "The Disaster Artist" by Greg Sestero.

  5. Slapstick: Slapstick comedy relies on physical humor, such as pratfalls, bumbling characters, and exaggerated violence. It is often used to create comedic situations or to heighten the absurdity of a scene. Examples of slapstick in literature include "Three Men in a Boat" by Jerome K. Jerome and "The Mighty Boosh" by Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding.

Overall, comedy in literature serves a variety of purposes, from poking fun at societal norms and critiquing institutions to simply entertaining readers. Each type of comedy brings its own unique flavor and style, and there is something for everyone in the world of literary comedy.

Comedic genres

different types of comedy in literature

Sketches sometimes spawn sitcom series, e. To our modern mind it appears as if too much fuss has been made by the critics about the immorality of these plays. And while not all dramatic comedies make us laugh, they should deliver a happy ending that makes us feel satisfied and at ease. You see many satires that are comedies of manners. Several of William Shakespeare's comedies fall into this category, including 'Much Ado About Nothing', where two pairs of lovers end up married after a good deal of gossip and trickery has threatened their relationships. Aggressive humor Depending on its name, it involves insults or humiliation against people.

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What is Comedy in Literature? Definition, Examples of Literary Comedy

different types of comedy in literature

It is the least produced of the sub-genres of comedy. True black comedy right through to the dark ending where we see the world end, it is hilarious but darkly so, daringly so. Steele attempted to make comedy respectable again. This term particularly applies to Restoration comedies written by Congreve 1670-1729 , Wycherley 1640-1716 , Etherege 1634? Second, they must be original and lighthearted, with intelligent writing. Jonson initiated this in the introduction to his play, Every Man Out of His Humour. They palmed off vulgar jokes as intellectual elegance. The humor, plot, and characters all contribute to the comedy type.

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Comedy

different types of comedy in literature

Emphasis on fashion, latest cut of dress and manners had its offshoot in jokes at the expense of country gulls who, on the strength of their wealth, tried to mix in the foppish society. Until the message or text of the comedy is not clear and moving, it will not push the reader into a state of delirious enjoyment. These include Clouds 423 , Lysistrata 411 , and The Frogs 405. But this probably isn't too surprising, given that much of today's dramatic comedy on television and film utilizes sexual undertones or blatant sexual references to enhance the comedic effect. Over time, though, comedy has become more than just an exaggerated view of human sexuality. Now, that's just plain silly.

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Types of Comedy Genres, Explained

different types of comedy in literature

It tells the tragic story of Rodolfo, Mimi, and the world of French Bohemia. Besides being the Founder and Owner of this website, I am a Government Officer. Though comedy was a common theatrical genre in Ancient Greece, the only extant comedic plays from the 5th century are from Aristophanes. As a result, the characters are typically everyday-people from lower to middle class families. Types of Comedy There are several sub-genres of the comedy wheelhouse.

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Types of Comedy in Literature, Theater, and Film

different types of comedy in literature

Origin and Definitions While historians aren't exactly sure about the origins of dramatic comedy, it is probable that it's linked to ancient bawdy plays where men dressed up as satyrs - half-man, half-goat beasts - to get drunk, sing, and entertain the crowd with their sexual innuendos. The influence of these two playwrights on the comedy of the next several centuries cannot be overstated. His gift for slapstick was genius, but he merged that with his ferocious social awareness to create some of the finest comedies of all time. More recently Slap Shot 1977 , also a satire has provided strong slapstick comedy and the hysterical Home Alone 1990 in which Kevin torments the burglars with his array of painful booby traps. Hence, the ability to express and communicate with the readers in essential to not just make comedy good but in some cases, even divine E.

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What are the various types of comedy? in English literature

different types of comedy in literature

Comedic moments can be found in a range of unexpected topics and places. Some emblematic figures of this genre are the Mexicans Chespirito, Capulina and Mauricio Herrera. In particular, satire often targets politics and social customs through parody. These ordinary characters fall into ordinary plots that focus on ordinary problems. We rarely come across this type in its pure form, it was at its best in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Comedy can be traced back to Ancient Greek origins, though it likely precedes this. Styan has used the name the dark comedy for such plays and that phrase has become now quite popular to label the type of plays like Measure for Measure, Troilus and Cressida etc.

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Comedy in Drama: Meaning, Examples & Elements

different types of comedy in literature

In a comedy, characters can certainly suffer misfortune, but they are typically comedic situations with positive outcomes. Such is the situation in the case of the Comedy of Humours. Drama Demonstrates the Human Condition. Given its visual nature, it is basically portrayed in media that allow it to be enjoyed more directly. It is a much more innocent form of communication intended for children, adolescents and representatives without resorting to offensive forms or that reveal any kind of malicious intent. Use of scathing and penetrating punch words and understandable sentences can help create a winning comedy. This kind of humorous representation covers the entire spectrum of the imagination, so it can be difficult to understand.

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Comedy Genre

different types of comedy in literature

To this day the parody film remains quite popular, tying in with audiences love affair with the movies. Cartoons are a clear example of taking proportions to the extreme and playing with the beauty and ugliness of things or people. Therefore, experts and scholars on the subject have identified 4 main types. And yes, that happy ending is part of hope for the future. High comedy typically uses language for humor, including wit and wordplay. It has been billed as a perspective that encompasses dark, painful, contentious, and controversial issues for people. Comedy entertains and amuses audiences while also addressing social and personal matters of corruption.

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Elements Of A Comedy In Literature • English Summary

different types of comedy in literature

Connective humor It makes use of what most people find funny and with which they can relate. It needs to be more ingenious and constructive in nature. However, their production proves that there are significant differences between the two. The drama of social consciousness and the drama of commitment are some of the terms applied to this new rebirth of the sentimental comedy. Self-destructive humor This kind of expression is given by self-punishment using aggressiveness or by pity.


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The 10 Main Types of Humor and their Characteristics

different types of comedy in literature

Finally, the timing and rhythm is important. You pay nothing at all in return; and into the bargain you endanger our lives and liberties by your mistakes. Only with active and intellectual engagement will a comedy gain and earn deserved laughs. In terms of the Elements of Comedy in Literature There are several elements significant in Shakespearean comedies such as given below. Farce Dependent on a wildly improbable plot performed a breakneck speed, usually with mistaken identity as the key to the story, farce can be wildly entertaining when done right. In this type of comedy, the characters have one or two One of the first to write this type of comedy was The Alchemist: FACE: Come, You know it well enough, though you dissemble it.

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