ROMEO AND JULIET DRAMA & LITERARY TERMS



LITERARY ELEMENTS & LANGUAGE TERMS – SET #5Humor and Comedy TermsBASIC DEFINITIONSComedyAn amusing or entertaining work/drama; generally represents the experiences of ordinary people, uses common/vernacular language, and ends happilyHumorAccording to theorist Henri Bergson, six elements are required in order for something to be considered humorous:a. it must appeal to the intellect rather than the emotionsb. it must be mechanical (unconscious or unthinking – it’s how nature works)c. it must be inherently human, with the capability of reminding us of humanity d. there must be a set of established societal norms with which the observer is familiar, either through everyday life or through the author providing it in expository material, or bothe. the situation and its component parts (the actions performed and the dialogue spoken) must be incongruous, inconsistent or unsuitable to the surrounding or associations (i.e., the societal norms)f. it must be perceived by the observer as harmless or painless to the participants. TYPES OF COMEDYRomantichas a pair (or pairs) of lovers as the center of interestSatirichas a critical purpose, attacking philosophical or political notions through ridicule. Satiric comedies may also direct ridicule at those who depart from societal rules and norms or at meddlesome characters who somehow interfere with a pair of lovers.Rogueclassified by entertaining the audience with the antics of clever but congenial miscreantsSentimentalfocus is on middle class characters that triumph over evil or immorality with their virtues still intactLowtypically rely on crude or the obvious to produce laughter; they include situation comedies, farce, and slapstickHightypically rely heavily on intellectual issues, viewpoints, and the incongruities that they produce; they often tend to emphasize humanity’s foibles; they are often serious in purpose and satiric in nature; it includes the comedy of manners and the comedy of ideasCOMEDIC CHARACTERSRidiculous those who are well-born but are pompous or full of self-import instead of being nobleSympatheticfrequently underdogs who come from a humbled or disadvantaged place and proves their real worth through tests of characterImposteroften thwart the hero to win the femaleSelf-deprecatoroften includes the hero, the hero’s helper, the retreating parental figureBuffoonfools and clownsChurlthe “straight man;” characterized by being miserly, snobbish, and a kill-joyCOMEDIC TECHNIQUESBathosthe descent into mundane or sentimental language by a writer who is striving for the noble and elevated.BombastInflated, extravagant, often ranting language EuphemismThe substitution of a less offensive expression or a description of something or someone rather than the name, to avoid revealing secret, holy, or sacred names to the uninitiated, or to obscure the identity of the subject from eavesdroppersIncongruitysurprising, illogical, or unexpected juxtaposition of ideas or situationsInnuendoan oblique allusion or hint often veiling a reflection on character or reputation. In other words, it is an indirect remark about somebody or something, usually suggesting something bad or rudeIronya contradiction or incongruity between appearance or expectation and reality. There are three types: dramatic (in which the audience is aware of something that the characters involved are not), situational (in which things don’t turn out as expected), and verbal (in which one thing is said, but another is meant).Malapropismthe erroneous substitution for the correct word of a word similar in sound but very different in meaning.Puna play on words that capitalizes on the similarity of spelling and/or pronunciation between words that have different meanings; or a pun may also employ one word that has multiple meaningsReparteea rapid and witty response in conversation, especially one that turns an insult back on its originator; or a succession of such replies in a dialogue.Sarcasmintentional derision generally directed at another person and intended to hurt. It usually involves obvious, even exaggerated verbal irony, achieving its effect by jeeringly stating the opposite of what is meant (for instance, false praise) so as to heighten the insultStichomythiasingle lines or half-lines are given to alternating characters, building rhythmic intensity with quick, biting retortsTom fooleryfoolish or silly behavior, including horseplay and silliness ................
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