Literary Devices in Farce ✍️

Introduction

Farce is a sub-genre of comedy characterized by exaggerated, improbable events and often slapstick or highly physical humor. Originating from French theater, the term farce translates to “stuffing,” aptly reflecting the layering of outrageous situations and characters to elicit laughter and entertain. Farces are designed to present an absurd or ridiculous aspect of life in a light-hearted, often hilariously exaggerated form. They typically involve rapid movements and quick changes in the plot, while the characters find themselves in increasingly ludicrous situations. This device relies heavily on visual and physical gags, mistaken identities, and often a fast-paced, chaotic plot that pushes the boundaries of logical storytelling to create humor and satire.

Contents

Pronunciation: /färs/

When do writers use Farce literary device?

Writers deploy the farce literary device when they aim to create uproarious laughter and entertainment, often at the expense of character development and plausible plotlines. Farce is used to critique social norms, human follies, and institutions by presenting them in an exaggerated, absurd, and often surreal framework. This device is particularly effective in revealing the ridiculousness of societal expectations, highlighting human weaknesses, and, paradoxically, the resilience of individuals in bizarre circumstances. Farces are commonly found in plays, films, and television shows, where physical space and visual elements can be fully utilized to enhance the comedic effect.

Rules for using Farce literary device

Using farce effectively in literature or any other form of media requires adherence to several key principles:

Exaggeration is Key: Everything is larger than life in farce, from character reactions to the situations they find themselves in. Exaggerate to highlight the absurdity and increase the humor.
Keep the Pace Fast: Farce works best with a quick tempo. Rapid scene changes and brisk dialogue help maintain the high energy necessary for the comedy to land effectively.
Incorporate Physical Comedy: Slapstick elements are a staple of farce. Trips, falls, and other physical mishaps can provide visual humor that supports the exaggerated nature of the story.
Mistaken Identities and Misunderstandings: Utilize these plot devices to complicate the storyline and create humorous situations that challenge the characters’ dignity and composure.
End with Resolution: Although farces often involve nonsensical and convoluted plots, they typically conclude with a swift resolution that ties up loose ends, often leaving the audience both amused and contemplative.

By following these rules, writers can effectively harness the power of farce to deliver humor and satire that engages and entertains audiences.

Types of Farce

Farce can manifest in various forms across different media, each bringing its unique flavor to this comedic genre:

Theatrical Farce: This is perhaps the most traditional form, where the farce originated. It involves exaggerated physical comedy, absurd situations, and rapid dialogue. Plays like those by Molière are classic examples.
Cinematic Farce: Films often use the farce to create exaggerated comedic moments that rely heavily on visual gags and improbable situations. These can include mistaken identities and bizarre plot twists.
Situation Farce: Similar to situational comedies but with more emphasis on ridiculous situations that escalate to extremes. This type often appears in TV shows where the setting is a primary component of the humor.
Literary Farce: In novels or short stories, farce is used to narrate outrageous and implausible events with rich descriptions that paint vividly ludicrous situations and character interactions.
Political Farce: This type uses satire and exaggeration to mock political events, figures, or ideologies, often in a humorous or ironically serious tone.

Each type employs the basic elements of farce—exaggeration, rapid movements, and chaotic plots—but adapts them to fit the medium’s strengths and audience expectations.

Farce in Literature

Here are some famous examples of farce in literature, where authors have skillfully incorporated this comedic style:

“The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde: This play is a quintessential example of farce, with its intricate plot of mistaken identities and social satire.
“A Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole: The novel features a bumbling protagonist in absurd situations, making it a modern classic of literary farce.
“Catch-22” by Joseph Heller: Though more of a black comedy, its use of absurd and circular logic in a wartime setting shares elements of farce.
“The Comedy of Errors” by William Shakespeare: One of Shakespeare’s early plays, it doubles down on mistaken identities and slapstick humor.
“Don Quixote” by Miguel de Cervantes: This novel can be seen as a farce for its ridiculous noble quests and exaggerated characters, parodying chivalric literature.

Farce in Children’s Books

Farce is also popular in children’s literature, where the silliness and exaggerated scenarios are particularly appealing to young readers:

“Captain Underpants” series by Dav Pilkey: These books are filled with over-the-top humor, absurd superheroes, and lots of visual puns and toilet humor.
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl: The outrageous characters and fantastical, bizarre occurrences in Willy Wonka’s factory give it elements of farce.
“Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series by Jeff Kinney: The series thrives on the misadventures of its protagonist, Greg Heffley, often involving exaggerated scenarios and visual gags.
“Mr. Popper’s Penguins” by Richard and Florence Atwater: The ludicrous situation of a man living with a flock of penguins in his home fits well into farcical comedy.

Farce in Poetry

Farce in poetry is less common but can be found where poets use humor and exaggeration to entertain or critique. Some notable examples include:

“The Hudibras” by Samuel Butler: This mock-heroic poem ridicules the Puritans and their customs, utilizing a farcical tone and exaggerated caricatures.
“Don Juan” by Lord Byron: Although primarily a satirical epic, it incorporates elements of farce with its humorous rhymes and absurd situations.
“The Rape of the Lock” by Alexander Pope: This mock-epic poem treats a trivial event with the gravity of a classical epic, which is a form of literary farce in itself.

These examples across various forms show the versatility and enduring appeal of farce in engaging and amusing audiences.

Farce in Songs

Farce in songs often comes through in humorous, exaggerated lyrics and lively, engaging music. Here are 10 songs that exemplify farce:

“Eat It” by Weird Al Yankovic – A parody of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It,” this song humorously tackles the subject of eating whatever is served to you.
“Like a Surgeon” by Weird Al Yankovic – Playing on Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” this song uses medical mishaps for comedic effect.
“The Saga Begins” by Weird Al Yankovic – A humorous recount of the “Star Wars” movie, “The Phantom Menace,” set to the tune of “American Pie.”
“Fat” by Weird Al Yankovic – Another Michael Jackson parody, this time of “Bad,” poking fun at excessive indulgence.
“Amish Paradise” by Weird Al Yankovic – A parody of Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise,” exploring the life of the Amish with a humorous twist.
“My Bologna” by Weird Al Yankovic – A playful take on The Knack’s “My Sharona,” focusing on a love for bologna.
“Smells Like Nirvana” by Weird Al Yankovic – A satirical take on Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” commenting on the song’s incomprehensible lyrics.
“White & Nerdy” by Weird Al Yankovic – A parody of Chamillionaire’s “Ridin’,” celebrating nerdy culture with clever wordplay.
“The Chanukah Song” by Adam Sandler – A comedic song that lists Jewish celebrities, blending humor with festive spirit.
“A Boy Named Sue” by Johnny Cash – Though not a parody, this song uses storytelling to explore the humorous and ironic life challenges of a boy given a typically female name.

Farce in Movies

Farce is a beloved genre in cinema, often seen in movies that involve slapstick comedy, ludicrous situations, and mistaken identities. Here are some famous examples:

“Some Like It Hot” (1959) – Two musicians disguise themselves as women to escape mobsters, leading to a series of comedic and romantic entanglements.
“Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” (1964) – A satirical take on Cold War fears that features absurd situations involving nuclear war.
“Airplane!” (1980) – Known for its slapstick humor and visual gags, this film parodies the disaster film genre.
“The Pink Panther” series – Centered around the bumbling Inspector Clouseau and his comedic misadventures.
“Blazing Saddles” (1974) – A satirical Western that pokes fun at racism and Hollywood clichés through absurd and exaggerated scenarios.
“Duck Soup” (1933) – A classic Marx Brothers film, featuring their signature witty dialogue and slapstick comedy in a politically charged farce.
“The Naked Gun” series – Follows a clueless police detective who inadvertently solves crimes amid a series of comedic events.
“Home Alone” (1990) – Although primarily a family comedy, it includes elements of farce with its exaggerated traps and slapstick violence.
“Young Frankenstein” (1974) – A parody of classic horror films, with a humorous take on the Frankenstein story.
“Monty Python and the Holy Grail” (1975) – A farcical retelling of the Arthurian legend, filled with absurd and surreal humor.

Famous movie line highlighting Farce

“Surely you can’t be serious?” “I am serious… and don’t call me Shirley.”

From Airplane! (1980), this line is a quintessential example of the verbal wit and wordplay that characterizes farcical comedy.

YouTube Link Demonstrating Farce

“Airplane! – Hospital Scene”

This clip from Airplane! is a great demonstration of farce in movies, featuring literal interpretations and comedic misunderstandings. Watch it here: Airplane! Hospital Scene

Farce in Advertising

Farce in advertising involves using exaggerated humor to capture attention and entertain, making the product memorable. Here are some notable examples:

Old Spice Commercials – Featuring absurdly hyperbolic scenarios and a self-aware tone, these ads use farce to highlight the product’s appeal.
Geico Commercials – Known for their humorous takes on saving money on insurance, often through ridiculous scenarios or characters.
Doritos Commercials – Particularly during the Super Bowl, these ads often feature over-the-top situations to showcase the allure of the chips.
Snicker’s Commercials – Using the tagline “You’re not you when you’re hungry,” these ads depict people in exaggerated states of character transformation due to hunger.
M&M’s Commercials – Personifying the candy into characters that find themselves in absurd, humorous dilemmas.

Farce Related Literary Devices

Farce as a genre heavily utilizes specific literary devices to amplify its comedic impact. Here are some key devices often found in farcical works:

Exaggeration: This is the backbone of farce. Characters, situations, and reactions are blown out of proportion to create a sense of absurdity that is inherently funny. For example, a character might react to a minor inconvenience with outrageously dramatic despair.
Slapstick: Physical comedy that involves exaggerated, often violent actions that are humorous. Slapstick includes pratfalls, pies in the face, and characters running into doors. It’s a visual and physical exaggeration used to provoke laughter.
Misunderstanding and Miscommunication: These often drive the plot in farcical stories. Characters may mishear or misinterpret information, leading to a series of comedic errors. For instance, two characters might plan the same surprise party without knowing the other is doing the same, resulting in chaos.
Mistaken Identity: Characters may be mistaken for someone else, or disguise themselves as other people, leading to a series of confusions and humorous situations. This device is central in many farces, as it creates a domino effect of comedic errors.
Incongruity: Placing characters or objects in an unusual context that is absurd or opposite to their traditional associations can create humor. For example, a king might be found making beds in a busy hotel, an image both absurd and amusing.
Hyperbole: Similar to exaggeration, hyperbole involves describing situations, feelings, or actions in a tremendously overblown or over-the-top manner to create a comic effect.
Satire and Parody: While these can be broader comedic devices, in farce they are often used to mock societal norms, famous people, or popular culture, thereby adding a layer of humor based on recognition and reversal of expectations.
Repetition: Repeating actions, lines, or situations can enhance the comedic effect in a farce. The repeated element typically escalates with each occurrence, amplifying the absurdity and therefore the humor.
Irony: Employing verbal, situational, or dramatic irony can add depth to the comedy, allowing the audience to be in on the joke as characters navigate the disparity between what is said and what is meant, or between what is expected to happen and what actually happens.
Role Reversal: Switching the typical roles of characters in society (like servants ordering around their masters or children making decisions for adults) can create comedic situations that highlight the absurdities of social and hierarchical norms.

These devices work synergistically in farces to create a humorous spectacle that not only entertains but also often offers a critique of societal norms through its exaggerated mirror to the world.