1. Comedy Ladder Comedy just pokes at problems, rarely confronts them squarely. Drama is like a plate of meat and potatoes, comedy is rather dessert, like a bit of meringue. - Woody Allen

2. How comedy affects us: Appeals in comedy are made to the head, not the heart. Appeals in comedy are made to the head, not the heart. The audience sees the INCONGRUITY of an action, which is humorous. The audience sees the INCONGRUITY of an action, which is humorous. Comedy lifts us out of the emotional response to an idea or situation, which can be an opportunity to use comedy as a lever for social change. Comedy lifts us out of the emotional response to an idea or situation, which can be an opportunity to use comedy as a lever for social change.

3. Existential Element Comedy is based on the principle that no man knows who he is, that he cannot see his true mirror image but only what he wants to see. Comedy is based on the principle that no man knows who he is, that he cannot see his true mirror image but only what he wants to see. Reversal of roles, exaggerations, and understatements all surprise our mental expectations and make us see things differently. Reversal of roles, exaggerations, and understatements all surprise our mental expectations and make us see things differently.

4. Comedic Characters A good comedy places a strong emphasis on a character who is simplified in such a way that we can readily see his distorted views that have made him a fool in other men’s eyes. A good comedy places a strong emphasis on a character who is simplified in such a way that we can readily see his distorted views that have made him a fool in other men’s eyes. We must recognize what is considered normal in the society reflected in the comedy to understand the humor. We must recognize what is considered normal in the society reflected in the comedy to understand the humor.

5. Comedic Action The action consists of a string of incidents that reveal the fool in situation after situation where he always shows the same distortion, the same variations from what is considered normal behavior. The action consists of a string of incidents that reveal the fool in situation after situation where he always shows the same distortion, the same variations from what is considered normal behavior. Much of the fun of the comedy are the reactions of other characters to the fool’s repetitive stupidity. Much of the fun of the comedy are the reactions of other characters to the fool’s repetitive stupidity.

6. Audience Reaction Although we scorn the blindness of the fool, we realize we share, to some extent, his distorted views (stereotypes). Although we scorn the blindness of the fool, we realize we share, to some extent, his distorted views (stereotypes). This enables “us” to see our own rigidity or reluctance to change, hence, creating social changes This enables “us” to see our own rigidity or reluctance to change, hence, creating social changes

7. 3 Literary Elements that Create Comedy INCONGRUITY- when logic is not in play with characters, settings or situations INCONGRUITY- when logic is not in play with characters, settings or situations DERISION – when the reader is placed in a position of superiority over the characters DERISION – when the reader is placed in a position of superiority over the characters AUTOMATON – when characters are like robots or creatures of habit AUTOMATON – when characters are like robots or creatures of habit

8. Comedy Ladder LOW LOW FARCE HIGH

9. Low Comedy Lowest form of humor Lowest form of humor Evokes the loudest, longest laughter Evokes the loudest, longest laughter Relies on the body and physical mishaps Relies on the body and physical mishaps Bathroom humor Bathroom humor Slapstick Slapstick Tripping, falling Tripping, falling Any bodily function Any bodily function

10. Dumb and dumber pees on scooter http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYCwIx dSRQs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYCwIx dSRQs

11. Farce Characters are controlled by situations - they seem to have no control Characters are controlled by situations - they seem to have no control Relies on plot devices: Relies on plot devices: Misunderstandings Misunderstandings Mistaken identities Mistaken identities Coincidences Coincidences Mistiming Mistiming

12. Mistaken Identity http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q_fG m6E120 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q_fG m6E120 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q_fG m6E120 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q_fG m6E120

13. High Comedy Relies on a skillful use of language – verbal wit Relies on a skillful use of language – verbal wit Two Types: Two Types: Comedy of Manners Comedy of Manners Comedy of Ideas Comedy of Ideas

14. Comedy of Manners “the amorous intrigues of the aristocratic classes” “the amorous intrigues of the aristocratic classes” Examines and satirizes the attitudes and customs of high society Examines and satirizes the attitudes and customs of high society Relies of verbal repartee: clever insults, put-downs, puns, paradoxes Relies of verbal repartee: clever insults, put-downs, puns, paradoxes Does not hesitate to sacrifice a character’s sensitivity for the cause Does not hesitate to sacrifice a character’s sensitivity for the cause

15. Comedy of Manners http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKYl6y 8qGqw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKYl6y 8qGqw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKYl6y 8qGqw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKYl6y 8qGqw

16. Comedy of Ideas Characters argue about important issues like war, gender, marriage, religion, class and government. Characters argue about important issues like war, gender, marriage, religion, class and government. Satire focuses on the foolish ideas behind an issue and ridicules the thinking and approach to the debate. Satire focuses on the foolish ideas behind an issue and ridicules the thinking and approach to the debate.

17. Comedy of Ideas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V7zb WNznbs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V7zb WNznbs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V7zb WNznbs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V7zb WNznbs

18. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOOT KA0aGI0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOOT KA0aGI0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOOT KA0aGI0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOOT KA0aGI0

19. Satire Horatian – Gentle humor – aims to correct by broadly sympathetic laughter – not destructive satire - named for Roman poet, Horace. Horatian – Gentle humor – aims to correct by broadly sympathetic laughter – not destructive satire - named for Roman poet, Horace. Juvenalian – Biting, bitter, angry – it points out injustices with contempt and indignation – named after Roman poet, Juvenal Juvenalian – Biting, bitter, angry – it points out injustices with contempt and indignation – named after Roman poet, Juvenal

20. Elements of Satire Hyperbole Hyperbole Incongruity Incongruity Reversal Reversal Parody Parody Sarcasm Sarcasm Juxtaposition Juxtaposition Irony Irony Understatement Understatement Double Entendre Double Entendre

21. Hyperbole To over exaggerate the situation beyond what is normal, so it becomes ridiculous To over exaggerate the situation beyond what is normal, so it becomes ridiculous “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.” “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”

22. Incongruity To present things that are out of place or are absurd in relation to its surroundings. To present things that are out of place or are absurd in relation to its surroundings. Princess Fiona uses her ponytail to knock out Merry Men, pauses mid-flight to fix her hair. Princess Fiona uses her ponytail to knock out Merry Men, pauses mid-flight to fix her hair.