1. Some Principles of Comedy in Literature English IV AP Mrs. Ramos

2. “Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you walk into an open sewer and die.” - Mel Brooks (1926 - )

4. Comedy is created in literature or performance when one or more of the following elements are present:

5. - puns

7. - a ludicrous item / person in a common setting

8. - a common item in a ludicrous setting

9. - incongruity: things set off kilter or out of sync

11. - a farcical mistake

12. - A plot so elaborately contrived that the resulting confusion is overdone

13. - absurd imitation

14. - physical buffoonery

15. IRONY

16. Types of Irony verbal irony: the contrast between what is said and what is meant situational irony: the contrast between what is expected and what occurs cosmic irony: the contrast between what is hoped for and what is destined to occur dramatic irony: the contrast between what the characters know and what the audience/ reader knows