Elements of Comedy

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

1. 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.

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?

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?

4. Misfortune of others

When do we laugh at other people’s embarrassment or misfortune? Why?

5. Slapstick/Physical Comedy

Relying mostly on the use of the body to create humor.

6. Dramatic Irony

Dramatic irony- when the audience knows more than one or more characters.

7. Wit, wordplay, puns, cleverness

Abbott and Costello’s famous “Who’s on First?” routine is a good example of wordplay.

Wordplay

A pun is an intentional play on words that sound similar but have different meanings, often creating humorous juxtaposition.

Double entendre is a pun where one of the meanings being played upon is suggestive or sexual in nature.

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."

9. Parodies/Satires

Parody- a humorous imitation of a serious piece of art, music, or writing (a “spoof”).

Satire- making fun of a person, group, or society in order to criticize its flaws.

10. Misunderstanding/Confusion

Comedy often arises out of confusing situations or out of harmless misunderstandings.

Sometimes, Shakespeare’s 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, Hal’s 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.