RTA 210 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Freeman Gosden, Black Speech, The Roots
9 Sep 2018
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Tells self contained stories as well as a broader narrative. Believability and identification with characters are key elements. Different from sketch shows, as those have no expectation of consistently recurring characters. Some believe that sitcom goes back to 14th century italy and a form called commedia dell"arte. They often contained comedy plays that would house recurring characters based on archetypes. Though archetypes had been used before, this was their first use in comedy. These shows were often improvised, but based around an old story or local events of the town they were performing in. Plays centered around themes of love, jealousy, deception or adultery. A common tactic was to introduce a foreigner and depict them as dull for comedy. The characters in commedia dell"arte, however, were stock characters, with personalities but no backstories. As such, these characters were used in standalone, unconnected acts.
