Varieties of DramaComedy

Comedy

A comedy is a play that treats characters and situations in a humorous way and has a happy ending.

Comes from the Greek words komos and ode, meaning revel song.

Comedies don’t always make you laugh out loud, but usually at least amuse you.

Comedy

In a comedy, the protagonist overcomes opposing forces or achieves desired goals.

The protagonist is often less-than-average in some way.

Comedy

The comic protagonist may me a(n):

Idealist

Romantic

Blunderer

Dreamer

Rogue

Seven Causes of Laughter

Exaggeration can include physical characteristics (a bulbous nose or large teeth).

May include mental characteristics (an extremely smart child or an incredibly dense person).

Seven Causes of Laughter

Incongruity is defined as anything that seems out of place, time, or character.

Could be a soldier who walks like a wind-up toy or actors who act like cats.

Seven Causes of Laughter

Anticipation is when the audience looks forward to a potential laugh.

An example is when the audience sees a character approaching a banana peel on the street.

Seven Causes of Laughter

Ambiguity is a double meaning such as a pun or word play.

Could include names like Lydia Languish or Benjamin Backbite.

Seven Causes of Laughter

Recognition is when the character discovers hidden or obscure meanings.

An example is when a character hears or sees something, takes a mouth-open freeze, and then understands the meaning.

Seven Causes of Laughter

Protection includes cruel, violent, grotesque, and abusive actions and events that cause laughter.

Audience laughs because they know the actions aren’t real and don’t harm anyone.

Seven Causes of Laughter

Relief is the release of built-up pressure created by the plot.

Example: When a bomb blows up, but the character emerges covered in soot.

Tragedy Versus Comedy

Tragedy is inevitable, while comedy is predictable.

In a tragedy the protagonist fails to achieve his goal, while in a comedy the protagonist achieves his goals.

Tragic protagonists are alienated from society, while comedic protagonists often become leaders of new societies.

Tragedy Versus Comedy

Tragic protagonists are average or better, while comedic protagonists are less than average.

In a tragedy the protagonist falls from leadership and loses respect, while in a comedy the protagonist achieves success.