Comedy

Definition

Comedy is a genre of literature and performance that aims to entertain and provoke laughter through humorous situations, exaggerated characters, and clever dialogue. It often explores themes of human folly and societal norms, providing a critique of social conventions while offering a sense of resolution or happiness at the end.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Comedy can be divided into various sub-genres, including romantic comedy, farce, and satire, each with its own unique characteristics and themes.
2. Northrop Frye categorized comedy as one of the four archetypal genres in literature, contrasting it with tragedy and emphasizing its focus on social harmony and renewal.
3. In comedy, characters often undergo transformations that lead to personal growth or enlightenment by the end of the story.
4. The structure of a comedic narrative typically includes complications that create tension but are resolved positively, leading to a satisfying conclusion.
5. Comedic works often reflect cultural values and societal norms, using humor as a tool to challenge the status quo and provoke thought among audiences.

Review Questions

• How does Frye's archetypal criticism categorize comedy within the broader context of literary genres?
  • Frye's archetypal criticism categorizes comedy as one of the four primary genres, emphasizing its role in portraying human experiences that promote social harmony and renewal. In contrast to tragedy, which focuses on conflict and downfall, comedy explores themes of reconciliation and optimism. This categorization highlights how comedic narratives often resolve tensions through laughter and joy, reflecting Frye's belief in the cyclical nature of literature.
• Discuss the significance of humor in comedy as analyzed through Frye's framework. How does it serve both entertainment and social critique?
  • Within Frye's framework, humor in comedy serves dual purposes: it entertains while simultaneously providing a lens for social critique. By employing wit, satire, or absurdity, comedic works highlight human folly and societal flaws without being overtly confrontational. This approach allows audiences to engage with serious themes under the guise of entertainment, making complex ideas more accessible while encouraging reflection on social norms.
• Evaluate how Frye’s views on comedy inform our understanding of character development in comedic narratives compared to tragedies.
  • Frye’s views on comedy suggest that character development in comedic narratives often leads to growth and transformation toward a positive outcome. Unlike tragedies, where characters face inevitable downfall due to their flaws or fate, comedies allow characters to learn from their experiences, ultimately leading to reconciliation or enlightenment. This contrast enriches our understanding of how narratives function within different genres—where comedy emphasizes potential for change and happiness against life's absurdities.

Related terms

Satire: A literary technique that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize or mock societal issues, institutions, or individuals.

Farce: A comedic style characterized by exaggerated and improbable situations, physical humor, and slapstick elements.

Tragedy: A genre that presents serious themes and often ends in disaster for the protagonist, serving as a counterpoint to comedy's lighter tone and happy endings.