Questions and Answers
What is the definition of comedy?
What does 'comedy of manners' refer to?
a comic play that derives its humor from the language and behavior of the characters
Define domestic comedy.
a comic play with a domestic setting and middle-class characters
What is drama?
Signup and view all the answers
What is farce?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the term 'genre' refer to in the context of drama?
Signup and view all the answers
What is high comedy?
Signup and view all the answers
Define low comedy.
Signup and view all the answers
What is a melodrama?
Signup and view all the answers
What is slapstick?
Signup and view all the answers
Define theatre of the absurd.
Signup and view all the answers
What is tragedy?
Signup and view all the answers
What is tragicomedy?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Comedy
- A genre dedicated to making audiences laugh with happy endings that reaffirm societal values.
- Sub-genres include comedy of manners and domestic comedy.
Comedy of Manners
- A type of comic play that humorously highlights language and character behavior, often associated with high comedy.
Domestic Comedy
- Set within a domestic sphere, typically featuring middle-class characters and situations.
Drama
- Represents serious themes but avoids tragedy, focusing on the human experience in a more reserved manner.
Farce
- A genre characterized by exaggerated situations and improbable events that aim to liberate through humor.
Genre
- The framework for categorizing dramas based on emotional impact and literary characteristics, with six prominent genres: tragedy, comedy, farce, melodrama, drama, and tragicomedy.
High Comedy
- Similar to comedy of manners, it uses wit and finer social nuances in humor.
Low Comedy
- Focuses on physical humor and characters, eliciting laughter more through actions than dialogue.
Melodrama
- Blends serious narrative with comedic elements, typically featuring a victorious protagonist amidst emotional contrasts.
Slapstick
- A comedic prop from commedia dell'arte, known for its loud, physical humor; also describes exaggerated physical comedy.
Theatre of the Absurd
- Emerged in mid-20th century Europe, reflecting the meaningless aspects of existence through tragicomedy, with notable playwrights like Samuel Beckett and Eugene Ionesco.
Tragedy
- A serious genre that imparts a deeper understanding of life, leading to a calm acceptance of existential truths through the hero's journey.
Tragicomedy
- A dominant genre in mid-to late 20th-century drama that evokes mixed emotions of anxiety and laughter while exploring serious societal issues.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of various dramatic genres with these flashcards. Explore definitions and examples of comedy, domestic comedy, and more. Perfect for theater students and enthusiasts alike!