Comedy

Definition

Comedy is a literary genre that aims to entertain and amuse the audience through humor, often highlighting the follies and absurdities of human behavior. It typically features exaggerated characters, playful situations, and a happy resolution, often with themes revolving around social issues, love, and misunderstandings. In the context of early American plays, comedy served as a means of both entertainment and social commentary.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Early American comedies often reflected the cultural tensions and social changes occurring in society during the 18th century.
2. Many early American playwrights used comedy to critique societal norms and challenge established authority figures.
3. Common comedic devices in early American plays included mistaken identities, puns, and clever wordplay.
4. The blend of European comedic traditions with indigenous American themes created a unique comedic voice in early American theater.
5. Comedy in early American plays was not just for entertainment; it served as a way to discuss serious issues like class conflict and moral dilemmas.

Review Questions

• How does comedy function as a tool for social commentary in early American plays?
  • Comedy in early American plays serves as a tool for social commentary by using humor to highlight societal issues and challenge established norms. Playwrights often crafted characters and scenarios that exposed the absurdities of human behavior and criticized social injustices. By entertaining audiences while also provoking thought about serious topics like class struggles or moral dilemmas, these comedies encouraged reflection on contemporary society.
• Discuss the various comedic styles found in early American theater and how they reflect the cultural context of their time.
  • Early American theater featured a variety of comedic styles such as farce and satire, each reflecting the cultural context of the time. Farce relied on exaggerated characters and absurd situations to elicit laughter, while satire provided pointed critiques of societal issues through humor. These styles revealed not only the influences of European traditions but also the distinct American experience shaped by factors like colonialism, identity, and changing social dynamics.
• Evaluate the significance of comedy in shaping early American identity through its representation of cultural tensions and societal values.
  • Comedy played a significant role in shaping early American identity by providing a medium through which cultural tensions and societal values could be explored and expressed. Through humorous portrayals of conflicts between different social classes, races, and ideologies, early American playwrights were able to reflect the complexities of an evolving nation. This representation not only entertained audiences but also fostered dialogue about what it meant to be American during a time of great change, ultimately contributing to a shared national narrative.

Related terms

Satire: A technique used in comedy that criticizes individuals, society, or politics through humor, irony, and exaggeration.

Farce: A comedic style characterized by absurdity, exaggerated characters, and improbable situations, often relying on physical humor.

Romantic Comedy: A subgenre of comedy that focuses on the humorous aspects of romantic relationships, often featuring misunderstandings and love triangles.