Comedy is based on (stock) types not individuals.

• Class, types, generation

deviation from normality (social/ cultural norms)

Must be observed objectively - though all might not be funny

• around emotions between joy and scorn

Seldom deep moral questions

+ design to reveal traits about yourself, non metaphysical questions posed.

Key features

1. Change - improvement

• Characters learn something about themselves, society, or the way they love/ live.

3. Comic language

• vehicle for humour

• characters are masters of language

4. Comic dictions

• swear words are mostly related to sex and toilets.

Comic vision: Restoring balance

- Started in Greece

- Same structure as any other story (mountain )

| Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution.

Comic pattern

• pattern of action

• Growing out of character or situation and leads to good resolution (comic problem).

Levels of comedy

Low: emphasis on funny remarks and outrageous circumstances. Physical or verbal.

- obscenity - lowest form of humour

- obsolete except in combination with a highest form.

- physical mishaps

- plot device

- misunderstandings, embarrassing experiences

-verbal wit

- skilful use of language, irony employed

High: witty, graceful, and sophisticated

- Inconsistencies of character

- surprise in action or speech

- Romantic comedy

- Built on plot

- comedy of manners

- examines and satirises attitudes and customs in high moral and intellectual standards

- Dialogue is witty and sophisticated

- deals with mocking speci c stock characters

- Satire