 Low comedy › Based on the physical › Often includes crude or “potty” humor › Doesn’t take much thought to “get it” › Sometimes referred to as “dumb humor”—gut centered  Middle comedy › Based on situations › Needs some context to “get it” › Often related to characters involved › Sometimes called “feel-good humor”—heart centered  High comedy › Based on ideas › Regularly uses wordplay and irony › Often requires specialized knowledge to “get it” › Sometimes called “thinker humor”—brain centered

 One of these things is not like the others: one little thing makes the whole thing ridiculous  A psychopathic killer at home in his kitchen, frilly floral apron proudly donned, dutifully cooking a vegan dinner for his loving family.  Another term for this sometimes in an anachronism—something that is out of time or place. This is something that “Shrek” uses a lot—putting contemporary ideas into “olden times.”

 There are three main types: dramatic, situational, and verbal.  Dramatic irony is when the audience knows something the characters do not. This is a very common device in tragedies and romantic comedies.  Situational irony occurs when the opposite of what is expected (by the characters and/or the audience) occurs. This is not random, however. The audience (and/or the characters) should be able to go back and see why the unexpected occurred. After all, hindsight is 20/20.  Verbal irony is when what is said has a different meaning than its usual connotation. Sarcasm is a prime example of verbal irony.

 Random occurrences that have no relation to what is going on.  A frog dropping out of the sky to land in Lady Marianne’s hair, upsetting her weekly tea party? Random! Hilarious? Probably, if executed well and not overdone.  A common issue with random humor is that it can be overdone. The end result feels chaotic and weird, less than comedic.  The randomness must be balanced with reality otherwise the audience will be completely unable to relate to the piece.

 A German word that literally means “delight at another’s misfortune.”  People comically flailing their limbs as they try not to fall on ice  Someone walking into a glass wall because they thought it was an open door  The school bully and assorted cronies being defeated by a small girl (also irony)  Slapstick comedy

 “Potty” humor  Often not appropriate for school  Can be offensive if not handled carefully

 Puns  Idioms  Euphemisms  Innuendos/Double-entendre  Homophones, homonyms, synonyms

 Can exaggerate in either way (bigger or smaller)  Smaller is called “understatement.” A student towers over his teacher, but the teacher only says, “He’s a little bit taller than me.”  Caricatures and stereotype characters often rely on exaggeration

 Both are used to poke fun at an idea or person  Parody more boldly makes fun of something (think Weird Al Yankovic)— usually low/middle comedy  Satire is generally more based on wordplay and irony—high comedy  Again, one must be careful to not be offensive in “making fun” of something