Tragedy has nothing to do with epic.

Illiad and odyssey are epics with tragic elements, but the two dont have to be
mutually exclusive.

For example a tragedy in illiad would be the needless loss of human lives in the
Trojan war. But that wasnt the entire point of the illiad.

Apparently tragedy as a genre of greek literature comes way after the illiad, and the
illiad is considered an epic but not a tragedy.

Jokes have their place in epics. Homer commonly uses humor in the illiad to relate
to reflect the weaknesses and irony of gods. EG when zeus is asked by thetis to help
Achilles (her son) to give victory to Trojans. Zeus is afraid of Hera (his wife)
disapproving and doesnt do anything.

Jokes can also have their place in tragedies such as when they serve as comedic
relief. Romeo and Juliet was a tragedy but has comedic elements, a lot of them
involving Mercutio making fun of romeo when romeo was infatuated with Rosaline,
as well as the nurse.