DRAM 1310 Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Tragicomedy, Existentialism, Buried Child
Document Summary
Celebrates the continuation of life, the success of generations through love and rebirth. The plot of comedy usually involves an outrageous idea or fantasy scheme that disrupts the normal workings of the community and leads to chaos. Looks at characters as part of a social group. The world of comedy is a protected world where there is no pain. Ends with a reconciliation of happy resolution, frequently including an engagement or marriage. Exists to make us laugh, but its underlying subject matter is often serious and involves some kind of social critique. The performance of comedy depends on broad physicality, timing and rapport between actor and audience. Early greek theatre, all plays that dealt with lofty and serious subjects were called tragedies. Plays that dealt with human weakness and folly were called comedies. Comedies companion pieces to tragedy to complete side of human endeavor. Tragic looked to human actor engaged in noble causes.
