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Comedy vs. Tragedy
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Kinds of Plays A play may be a tragedy, a comedy, or, in modern drama, a mixture of the two. A tragedy depicts serious and important events that end unhappily. A comedy ends happily. Although most comedies are funny, they may also make us think and question.
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Tragedy Most classical tragedies deal with serious subjects—fate, life, and death—and center on a tragic hero. Tragic heroes are usually noble figures rebelliousness ambition have a tragic flaw, a personal failing that leads to their downfall passion excessive pride Innocent heroes [End of Section]
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Tragedy We experience catharsis = this feeling of emotional release or purification. Audience now has experienced something that makes them reflect on their own lives, their own issues for the betterment Deals with serious and profound concerns of life Hero who was once accepted by society ends up isolated Sad Ending – often death Hero keeps our sympathy Audience feels pity and fear About the hero/individual Audience can see themselves in the hero – we can identify We feel our own limitations as a person
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Comedy In a comedy, the characters usually face humorous obstacles and problems that are resolved by the end of the play. Comic heroes may be ordinary people instead of nobility eventually overcome their flaws and achieve happiness
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Comedy The conflict in comedies is usually romantic.
Someone wants to marry but faces an obstacle—opposing parents or rival suitors. Complications can involve misunderstandings, mistaken identities, disguises, or transformation. The obstacle is always overcome. [End of Section]
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Comedy Happy Ending Audience feels amusement Likeable Hero
Hero improves through Show’s man’s limitations Mocks excess Hero has many weaknesses Man is made to look ridiculous About society – often is critical of it Audience feels amusement We see others – we don’t relate to character We feel superior We laugh at the folly of others Deals with petty/not serious concerns of life Leads once isolated hero to be accepted by group
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