Comedy: A Literary Device

Etymology of Comedy

The term “comedy” derives from the ancient Greek word “komoidia,” which is a compound of “komos,” meaning “revel” or “merrymaking,” and “ode,” which refers to a lyrical poem or song.

In its earliest theatrical context, comedy was associated with festive, lighthearted performances that often featured humorous or satirical elements. Aristophanes, a renowned Greek playwright of the 5th century BCE, is credited with establishing the genre’s foundations.

Meanings of Comedy

Aspect	Meaning
Comic Genre	In literature and literary theory, comedy refers to a genre characterized by humorous and light-hearted themes. It often involves amusing situations, witty dialogue, and a happy resolution, providing entertainment and amusement to the audience.
Satire	It is vehicle for satire, where authors use humor to criticize or ridicule aspects of society, politics, or human behavior. Through laughter, it exposes and critiques social issues or human follies.
Incongruity and Contrast	It frequently relies on incongruity and contrast, juxtaposing conflicting elements or ideas to create humor. This can involve the unexpected or absurd, highlighting the disparity between expectations and reality.
Social Commentary	Many comedies delve into social commentary, addressing cultural norms, values, and taboos. They may challenge societal conventions and provoke thought while entertaining.
Comic Relief	In literary works, comedy can serve as comic relief, providing moments of levity and humor in otherwise serious or tragic narratives. This contrast can enhance the overall emotional impact of a story.
Structural Elements	In literary theory, it involves specific structural elements, such as the reversal of fortune, where characters experience positive outcomes after facing adversity. This contrasts with the structure of tragedy, where characters often meet tragic ends.
The Absurd and Nonsensical	Some forms of it embrace the absurd and nonsensical, using irrationality and illogical situations to create humor. This approach challenges conventional reasoning and expectations.
Humor Styles	Comedy encompasses various humor styles, including verbal wit, slapstick humor, irony, and farce, each relying on different comedic techniques to elicit laughter.
Catharsis	Similar to tragedy, it also offers catharsis by allowing the audience to release pent-up emotions through laughter. It provides a sense of emotional relief and resolution.
Comic Devices	It uses a range of literary devices, such as puns, wordplay, caricature, and exaggeration, to create humor and engage the audience.
Historical and Cultural Variations	Its meaning and interpretation can vary across different cultures and historical periods, reflecting evolving notions of humor and societal values.

Definition of Comedy

Comedy, in the realm of literature and dramatic theory, constitutes a genre characterized by its capacity to evoke humor and amusement through witty dialogue, amusing situations, and often culminating in a cheerful resolution.

It can also function as a potent tool for satire, using humor to critique and mock social, political, or human foibles, thereby highlighting social issues or absurdities.

It includes encompasses a diverse array of structural elements, humor styles, and thematic variations, making it a multifaceted and culturally contingent form of artistic expression.

Common Examples of Comedy

1. Stand-Up Comedy: Comedians performing in comedy clubs, on television, or through online platforms use humor to comment on everyday experiences, relationships, and societal norms.
2. Sitcoms: Television sitcoms like “Friends,” “The Office,” and “Parks and Recreation” use humor to depict the humorous aspects of work, friendships, and family life.
3. Social Media Memes: Memes and humorous videos shared on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok often make light of relatable situations, current events, and pop culture.
4. Jokes and Puns: Everyday conversations frequently include jokes and puns that play on words or rely on humor to entertain and connect with others.
5. Practical Jokes: Pranks and practical jokes among friends and colleagues are a common form of comedy, albeit one that should be approached with sensitivity and consent.
6. Comic Films: Movies like “Superbad,” “Anchorman,” and “Bridesmaids” use humor to entertain and provide a comedic perspective on various aspects of life, including relationships and personal growth.
7. Comedy Shows: Live comedy performances, improv shows, and comedy festivals offer opportunities to experience humor in a communal setting.
8. Satirical News: Satirical news programs like “The Daily Show” and “Last Week Tonight” blend humor and satire to critique current events and political developments.
9. Comic Strips and Cartoons: Newspaper comic strips and animated cartoons, such as “Calvin and Hobbes” and “The Simpsons,” use humor to comment on everyday situations and human behavior.
10. Funny Observations: People often find humor in the quirks and idiosyncrasies of daily life, such as the challenges of commuting, the absurdities of bureaucracy, or the antics of pets.
11. Comedic Literature: Books and essays, like those by humorists such as Mark Twain and David Sedaris, provide humorous perspectives on various aspects of life, often drawing from personal experiences.
12. Comedy Clubs and Open Mic Nights: Attending live comedy performances or participating in open mic nights allows individuals to engage with and enjoy comedic talent within their communities.

Types of Comedy

1. Slapstick Comedy: Slapstick relies on physical humor, exaggerated actions, and absurd situations to generate laughter. Classic examples include the works of Charlie Chaplin and the Three Stooges.
2. Situational Comedy (Sitcom): Sitcoms revolve around humorous situations and interactions between recurring characters in settings like homes, workplaces, or social groups. Examples include “Friends,” “The Office,” and “Seinfeld.”
3. Satirical Comedy: Satire uses humor to criticize and mock societal, political, or cultural issues. It often employs irony and sarcasm to make a point. “The Daily Show” and “South Park” are examples of satirical comedy.
4. Stand-Up Comedy: Stand-up comedians perform solo on stage, delivering humorous monologues, anecdotes, and observations. Comedians like Richard Pryor, George Carlin, and Jerry Seinfeld are renowned in this genre.
5. Improvisational Comedy (Improv): In improv comedy, performers create unscripted scenes and dialogue based on audience suggestions or predetermined prompts. “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” is a famous example.
6. Dark Comedy/Black Comedy: Dark comedy explores taboo or sensitive subjects, such as death, illness, or tragedy, in a humorous way. Shows like “Fargo” and films like “Dr. Strangelove” fall into this category.
7. Parody: Parody comedies mimic and exaggerate the conventions of other genres, works, or cultural phenomena for comedic effect. “Airplane!” is a classic example of a parody film.
8. Farce: Farces are characterized by absurd situations, mistaken identities, and exaggerated characters, often leading to chaotic and humorous outcomes. “Noises Off” is a well-known farce.
9. Romantic (Rom-Com): Romantic comedies focus on the romantic relationships and courtship between characters, combining elements of romance and humor. Films like “When Harry Met Sally” and “Notting Hill” fall into this category.
10. Musical: Musical comedies incorporate songs and music into humorous narratives. “The Producers” and “The Book of Mormon” are examples of musical comedies.
11. Stand-Up Specials: Stand-up comedy specials are recorded performances by comedians that are released as television specials or streaming content, showcasing their comedic material and style.
12. Absurdist: Absurdist comedy presents irrational and surreal situations, often defying logical explanation. The works of Monty Python and “Waiting for Godot” by Samuel Beckett are notable examples.
13. Observational: Observational comedians focus on everyday life, making humorous observations about common experiences and human behavior. Jerry Seinfeld is a prominent observational comedian.
14. Character: Comedians create and portray unique characters with distinct quirks and personalities. Dame Edna Everage, portrayed by Barry Humphries, is a famous character comedian.
15. Political: Political comedians use humor to critique politicians, government policies, and political events. “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” is an example of political comedy.

Suggested Readings

1. Bergson, Henri. Laughter: An Essay on the Meaning of the Comic. Dover Publications, 2005.
2. Frye, Northrop. Anatomy of Criticism: Four Essays. Princeton University Press, 2000.
3. Hutcheon, Linda. Irony’s Edge: The Theory and Politics of Irony. Routledge, 1994.
4. Morreall, John. Comic Relief: A Comprehensive Philosophy of Humor. Wiley-Blackwell, 2009.
5. Raskin, Victor. The Primer of Humor Research. Mouton de Gruyter, 2008.
6. Lefcourt, Herbert M., and Rod A. Martin. Humor and life stress: Antidote to adversity. Springer Science & Business Media, 2012.
7. Siegel, Lee. Laughing Matters: Comic Tradition in India. University of Chicago Press, 1992.