Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Comedy is a genre of literature that aims to entertain and amuse through humorous situations, witty dialogue, and happy endings. It often involves misunderstandings, mistaken identities, and lighthearted themes.
Related terms
Satire: A form of comedy that uses irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to criticize society's flaws or individuals' vices.
Farce: A type of comedy characterized by exaggerated situations, physical humor, and absurdity.
Romantic Comedy (Rom-com): A subgenre of comedy that combines elements of romance with comedic situations and usually ends with a happy romantic resolution.