Elements of Comedy

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Elements of Comedy

• A Midsummer Nights Dream

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The unexpected (situational irony)
Situational irony- when the opposite of what is
expected or intended occurs. When we predict
something and it does not happen as expected,
then for some strange human reason, we often
laugh, particularly if no harm is done.
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2. The exaggerated/absurd
In this episode, George gets a job as a hand
model. In what way were the characters
exaggerated? How does the exaggeration
contribute to the humor?
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3. The unbelievable
Shakespearean comedies are often comprised of a
series of unbelievable coincidences How does The
Parent Trap contain unbelievable coincidences
that lead to humor?
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4. Misfortune of others
When do we laugh at other peoples embarrassment
or misfortune? Why?
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5. Slapstick/Physical Comedy
Relying mostly on the use of the body to create
humor.
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6. Dramatic Irony
Dramatic irony- when the audience knows more than
one or more characters.
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7. Wit, wordplay, puns, cleverness
Abbott and Costellos famous Whos on First?
routine is a good example of wordplay.
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8. Human ignorance
Often we laugh at comic characters lack of
intelligence. We laugh when they do silly
things, such as misusing a word (malapropism)
Joey Tribiani of NBC's Friends "No, a moo point
(moot point). Yeah, it's like a cow's opinion. It
just doesn't matter. It's moo."
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9. Parodies
Parody- a humorous imitation of a serious piece
of art, music, or writing (a spoof).
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10. Misunderstanding/Confusion
Comedy often arises out of confusing situations
or out of harmless misunderstandings. Sometimes,
Shakespeares misunderstandings arise out of
mistaken identity. Modern sitcoms often use this
technique.
A new employee mistakes Hal for the boss. Hal
pretends to be the boss for a few hours.
Finally, Hals wife Lois tells him to sort out
the mess, and to tell the new guy the truth. But,
Hal is too embarrassed to admit he has been lying
all day. Instead of telling the new the guy the
truth, he pretends to have the authority and
fires him.