Comedy

Introduction

Comedy as a literary device serves to entertain and amuse the audience, often highlighting human weaknesses in a manner that is both humorous and insightful. It can appear in various forms such as satire, parody, slapstick, and romantic comedy, each with its unique method of eliciting laughter and contemplation. Comedy not only entertains but also provides sharp observations about the quirks of human nature and societal norms, often using irony, hyperbole, and ludicrous situations to reflect on real-life scenarios in a less severe tone.

Pronunciation:
‘kämədē

When Do Writers Use the Comedy Literary Device?

Writers turn to comedy to lighten the mood, engage the audience, and provide relief from the more serious elements of a narrative. It’s used to enhance storytelling by adding layers of humor which can make characters more relatable and plots more engaging. Comedy often serves as a powerful tool for social commentary, allowing writers to address controversial issues in a way that is accessible and palatable for audiences, thereby broadening the impact of their message.

Rules for Using the Comedy Literary Device

To effectively use comedy in literature, consider the following guidelines:

1. Know Your Audience: Tailor your humor to the tastes and sensitivities of your intended audience. What is funny to one group may not resonate with another.
2. Balance Tone: While comedy can lighten a narrative, it’s important to balance humor with the story’s tone to ensure it complements rather than detracts from the main themes.
3. Use Timing Wisely: Comedy relies heavily on timing. The impact of a comedic element often depends on its placement within the story.
4. Incorporate Subtlety: Subtle humor can be more effective than overt jokes, as it allows the audience to discover the humor for themselves, which can be more satisfying and memorable.
5. Leverage Conflict: Comedic conflict, often derived from misunderstandings, miscommunications, or contrasting desires, can drive a narrative forward and add layers to character development.
6. Reflect on Society: Use comedy to reflect on and critique societal norms. Satire, in particular, can be an effective tool for exposing societal flaws and inciting change.

By following these rules, writers can effectively integrate comedy into their literary works, ensuring it enhances rather than overshadows the story.

Types of Comedy

Comedy in literature comes in various types, each serving a unique purpose and engaging audiences in different ways:

1. Satire: Uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.
2. Parody: Imitates the style of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect.
3. Romantic Comedy: Centers around romantic relationships, typically involving a series of misunderstandings and humorous situations before reaching a happy ending.
4. Slapstick: Characterized by physical comedy involving clumsy actions, mishaps, and exaggerated, humorous situations.
5. Farce: Involves highly exaggerated and funny situations aimed at entertaining the audience through improbable events and ridiculous situations.
6. Comedy of Manners: Satirizes the manners and affectations of a social class, often represented by stereotypical characters and witty dialogue.

Comedy in Literature

Comedy has been an essential part of literature, providing laughter and sharp insights through various works:

• “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde: A quintessential example of a comedy of manners, this play satirizes the Victorian upper class.
• “Don Quixote” by Miguel de Cervantes: Often considered the first modern novel, this work uses satire to comment on the romantic literature of its time.
• “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare: This play is a classic example of romantic comedy, featuring elements of magic, love, and misunderstanding.
• “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller: A satirical novel that critiques the absurdity of war and military bureaucracy.
• “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams: Combines satire, parody, and slapstick to explore themes of existential angst and absurdity in a sci-fi setting.

Comedy in Children’s Books

Comedy in children’s books often comes through amusing characters, playful language, and delightful scenarios:

• “The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss: Features mischievous antics and playful rhymes that capture the imagination of children and adults alike.
• “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” by Jeff Kinney: Chronicles the humorous trials and tribulations of middle school through the eyes of Greg Heffley.
• “Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein: A collection of humorous poems that delight children with their witty and often nonsensical verses.
• “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl: Combines dark humor and whimsical adventures as Charlie explores Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory.
• “Captain Underpants” by Dav Pilkey: Utilizes both visual and verbal comedy through the adventures of two pranksters and their superhero creation.

Comedy in Poetry

Comedic poetry often uses wit, irony, and exaggeration to entertain while reflecting on life’s absurdities:

• “The Owl and the Pussycat” by Edward Lear: A charming nonsense poem that delights with its whimsical characters and narrative.
• “To a Mouse” by Robert Burns: While primarily a reflection, it contains humorous elements in its language and the small, ironic dialogues between the speaker and the mouse.
• “The Divine Comedy” by Dante Alighieri: Although ‘comedy’ here is derived from its original meaning relating to a narrative with a happy ending, Dante’s epic poem is filled with satirical depictions of historical figures.
• “The Rape of the Lock” by Alexander Pope: A mock-heroic narrative poem that satirizes a petty squabble by comparing it to the epic world of the gods.

These examples highlight how comedy has permeated various literary forms, bringing laughter and critical commentary to readers of all ages.

Comedy in Songs

Comedy in songs often involves clever lyrics, humorous situations, and playful music. Here are ten famous examples:

1. “Eat It” by Weird Al Yankovic – A parody of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It,” poking fun at the obsession with healthy eating.
2. “Amish Paradise” by Weird Al Yankovic – A humorous take on Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise,” satirizing Amish culture.
3. “Like a Surgeon” by Weird Al Yankovic – Parodying Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” this song humorously explores the life of a surgeon.
4. “The Saga Begins” by Weird Al Yankovic – Tells the story of “Star Wars Episode I” to the tune of “American Pie” by Don McLean.
5. “White & Nerdy” by Weird Al Yankovic – A parody of Chamillionaire’s “Ridin’,” celebrating nerdy culture with clever references and humorous visuals.
6. “Smelly Cat” by Phoebe Buffay (Friends) – A humorous song from the TV show “Friends” about a smelly cat, loved for its quirky and catchy lyrics.
7. “The Chanukah Song” by Adam Sandler – A comedic song that lists Jewish celebrities, played during his performances on “Saturday Night Live.”
8. “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” by Monty Python – From the film “Life of Brian,” this song uses dark comedy to find humor in despair.
9. “Fish Heads” by Barnes & Barnes – An absurdly humorous song that became famous on “Dr. Demento’s” radio show.
10. “My Bologna” by Weird Al Yankovic – A playful parody of The Knack’s “My Sharona,” focusing on the singer’s love for bologna.

Comedy in Movies

Comedy films are a staple of the cinema, providing laughter and light-hearted entertainment. Here are some famous examples:

• “Airplane!” (1980) – Known for its fast-paced slapstick comedy and visual and verbal puns.
• “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” (1975) – A British slapstick that parodies the legend of King Arthur’s quest to find the Holy Grail.
• “The Hangover” (2009) – A comedy about a bachelor party gone wrong in Las Vegas.
• “Superbad” (2007) – Focuses on two high school friends’ quest to enjoy their youth before college.
• “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” (2004) – Satirizes the culture of 1970s broadcast news.
• “Dumb and Dumber” (1994) – Follows the cross-country adventures of two good-hearted but incredibly stupid friends.
• “Ghostbusters” (1984) – Combines comedy with elements of the supernatural.
• “Bridesmaids” (2011) – A look at the competitive nature and friendship among a bridal party.
• “Caddyshack” (1980) – A slapstick comedy involving the antics of a golf course’s staff and members.
• “Tropic Thunder” (2008) – A satire on Hollywood, war films, and filmmaking.

Famous Movie Line Highlighting Comedy

“I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.”

While originally a serious line from “The Godfather” (1972), this phrase has been humorously adapted in various comedies to lighter contexts, demonstrating its flexibility as a cultural reference in comedy.

Movie Clip Demonstrating Comedy

Here’s a funny movie clip from “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” that showcases the comedic genius of the troupe with the iconic “Black Knight” scene.

Comedy in Advertising

Comedy is frequently used in advertising to grab attention and make memorable impressions:

• Old Spice: “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” campaign used absurdity and fast-paced humor to revitalize the brand.
• Doritos: Super Bowl commercials often use slapstick and surreal humor to appeal to a wide audience.
• Geico: The “Hump Day” commercial features a talking camel, humorously celebrating “hump day” in an office.
• Budweiser: The “Wassup” commercials became famous for their catchy, humorous dialogue among friends.
• Snickers: Uses the tagline “You’re not you when you’re hungry” to feature people turning into dramatically different personas, often celebrities, when hungry.

Comedy-Related Literary Devices

Several literary devices are commonly used to create humor:

1. Irony: Involving a contrast between expectations and reality. This includes verbal irony (saying one thing but meaning another), situational irony (when the opposite of what’s expected happens), and dramatic irony (when the audience knows more than the characters).
2. Hyperbole: Exaggeration for comedic effect, making situations more humorous by portraying them as more extreme than they are.
3. Pun: A play on words that exploits multiple meanings for a humorous effect.
4. Sarcasm: A form of verbal irony where praise is actually mocking.
5. Parody: Mimics the style of a particular genre, author, or work to poke fun at it.
6. Satire: Criticizes individuals, corporations, society, or government through humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule.
7. Farce: Uses improbable situations, physical humor, and other absurd elements to entertain.

These devices are integral to crafting effective comedy in various forms of media.