Black Comedy: Etymology and Meanings
Etymology: The term “black comedy” originated in the mid-20th century, combining the word “black,” associated with dark or morbid themes, and “comedy,” denoting a humorous or amusing form of expression.
Coined by the French critic André Breton, the term was initially used to describe literature mixed with humor with grim subject matter. It has since evolved to encompass a broader range of artistic expressions, including film and theater, characterized by a satirical, irreverent, or macabre humor that addresses serious and often taboo subjects.
Meanings:
- Morbid Humor: Black comedy employs humor to address topics that are often considered dark, morbid, or taboo.
- Satirical Elements: It frequently includes satire to critique societal norms, institutions, or human behavior.
- Incongruity and Absurdity: Black comedy thrives on incongruity and absurdity, juxtaposing serious or tragic situations with humor.
- Exploration of Taboos: It explores and challenges societal taboos, pushing the boundaries of what is traditionally considered acceptable or appropriate.
- Coping Mechanism: In some contexts, black comedy serves as a coping mechanism, allowing individuals to find humor in the face of adversity or challenging situations.
- Social Commentary: It often provides a platform for social and political commentary, using humor as a lens to examine and critique contemporary issues.
- Cultural Variations: The interpretation of black comedy can vary across cultures, reflecting different attitudes toward humor, tragedy, and societal norms.
- Existential Themes: Black comedy may delve into existential themes, questioning the meaning of life, morality, and the absurdity of human existence.
- Artistic Freedom: Artists use black comedy to exercise artistic freedom, challenging audiences to confront uncomfortable truths through a lens of humor.
- Subversion of Expectations: It frequently involves the subversion of audience expectations, using unexpected twists and dark humor to create a unique and thought-provoking experience.
Black Comedy: Definition as a Literary Device
Black comedy, as a literary device, is a form of humor that derives from bleak or morbid situations, often addressing taboo subjects with satirical and irreverent elements.
Employing a juxtaposition of serious and humorous tones, black comedy navigates sensitive themes to provide a unique lens through which to critique societal norms, explore existential questions, and challenge conventional moral perspectives.
This darkly comedic approach serves not only as a form of artistic expression but also as a means of engaging with and questioning the complexities of human experience.
Black Comedy: Types
| Type | Detail | Example |
| Dark Satire | Involves the use of humor, irony, and exaggeration to mock or criticize societal institutions, often exploring taboo subjects with a critical edge. | Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal |
| Gallows Humor | Humor that emerges in the face of adversity, tragedy, or dire circumstances, allowing individuals to find amusement in situations typically devoid of levity. | Jokes made by healthcare professionals in challenging medical situations. |
| Tragicomedy | Blends tragic and comedic elements, creating a narrative that explores both the absurdity and seriousness of human existence. | Shakespeare’s The Tempest |
| Macabre Humor | Centers on death, violence, or the supernatural, using morbid themes as a source of comedic inspiration. | Tim Burton’s The Corpse Bride |
| Surreal Comedy | Involves the use of absurd or fantastical elements to create humor, often challenging the boundaries of reality and the rational. | Salvador Dalí and Luis Buñuel’s Un Chien Andalou |
| Cringe Comedy | Focuses on awkward or uncomfortable situations, deriving humor from the discomfort experienced by characters or the audience. | Larry David’s Curb Your Enthusiasm |
| Social Commentary Comedy | Utilizes humor to critique and comment on social, political, or cultural issues, often through exaggerated or satirical portrayals. | George Orwell’s Animal Farm |
| Parody | Mimics the style of a particular genre, work of literature, or cultural phenomenon, exaggerating elements for comedic effect and social critique. | Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles |
| Black Farce | Blends elements of farce with dark and morbid humor, often involving chaotic and absurd situations. | Joe Orton’s What the Butler Saw |
| Absurdist Comedy | Embraces the irrational and nonsensical, challenging traditional narrative structures and exploring the meaninglessness of existence through humor. | Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot |
Black Comedy: Examples in Everyday Life
| Example | Description |
| Humorous Memes During Challenging Times | In response to challenging or distressing events, individuals often create and share memes that use humor to cope, providing a form of gallows humor as a communal coping mechanism. |
| Jokes Among Colleagues in Stressful Jobs | Professionals in high-stress occupations, such as healthcare workers or emergency responders, may employ gallows humor as a way to lighten the mood during difficult and intense situations. |
| Social Media Commentary on Political Issues | Users on social media platforms often use satire and parody to comment on and critique political events, offering a form of social commentary comedy that engages a wide audience. |
| Comedic Sketches Addressing Social Taboos | Comedy shows and online content creators may produce sketches that address social taboos, utilizing dark satire and cringe comedy to challenge societal norms and prompt reflection. |
| Satirical Cartoons in Editorial Publications | Editorial cartoons in newspapers and magazines often employ black comedy to satirize political figures, social issues, or current events, providing a humorous lens on serious topics. |
| Stand-up Comedy Exploring Personal Struggles | Comedians frequently use their personal experiences, even those involving adversity or tragedy, as material for stand-up routines, employing humor to connect with audiences and offer insights. |
| Parody Videos Mocking Cultural Trends | Online creators may produce parody videos that exaggerate and mock prevalent cultural trends, using humor to provide social commentary and critique while entertaining a broad audience. |
| Dark-Humored TV Shows and Movies | Television series and films that incorporate black comedy elements, such as Fargo or Dr. Strangelove, offer fictional narratives that use dark humor to explore serious and complex themes. |
| Playful Banter Among Friends | In everyday interactions, friends may engage in playful banter that involves gallows humor, finding amusement in each other’s quirks or sharing humorous anecdotes about challenging situations. |
| Sarcastic or Ironic Remarks in Conversation | Casual conversations often include sarcastic or ironic remarks that employ dark humor to express opinions or observations, contributing to a shared understanding of comedic communication. |
These examples illustrate how black comedy permeates various aspects of everyday life, offering a means of coping, critiquing, and engaging with the complexities of the human experience through humor.
Black Comedy: Suggested Readings
- Heller, Joseph. Catch-22. Vintage Books, 1999.
- Vonnegut, Kurt. Slaughterhouse-Five. Dell Publishing, 1991.
- Ellis, Bret Easton. American Psycho. Vintage Books, 1991.
- Adams, Douglas. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Del Rey, 1995.
- Toole, John Kennedy. A Confederacy of Dunces. Grove Press, 1987.
- Voltaire. Candide. Dover Publications, 1991.
- Pratchett, Terry, and Neil Gaiman. Good Omens. William Morrow, 2006.
- Kafka, Franz. The Trial. Schocken Books, 1998.
- Nabokov, Vladimir. Pale Fire. Vintage International, 1989.
- Shaffer, Peter. Black Comedy. Samuel French, Inc., 1967.