Comedic Conventions
How do we make funny?
5 Types of Humor
Verbal
Wit
Action
Situational
Character
Verbal Humor
Plays on words
Puns } double meaning
Double entendres
Kate I pray you, sir, is it your will
To make a stale of me amongst these mates?
Hortensio. Mates, maid? How mean you that? No mates for you
Unless you were of gentler, milder mold. (1.1.57-60)
Wit
Humorous comments
Repartee (a quick reply)
Banter (playful conversation)
Petruchio. [at door] … knock, I say.
Grumio. Knock, sir? Whom should I knock? Is there any
man has rebused your Worship? (1.2.5-7)
Action
Physical gestures or movement
Slapstick
Kate threatens to hit her sister’s suitors with a stool and rake their faces.
Three Stooges
Situational Humor
Plot developments
The Lord tricks Sly into thinking he is a lord himself.
The Lord has his male page pretend to be Sly’s wife.
Character Humor
Foolish or repeated characteristics
Gremio, a foolish old man, is love sick for a young woman.
Kate is a shrew.
Commedia dell’arte
Shakespeare was greatly influenced by this form of theater
Form of Farce from Italy
Simple plot
Stereotyped characters
Physical/slapstick comedy
Modern examples?
Commedia dell’arte
Improvisational Farce
Stock characters Sweet and innocent lovers
The stingy old man—Pantaloon—generally after the sweet young thing
The Braggart Soldier—more talk than action
Befuddled parents
Impertinent servants
Tricksters
Romantic Comedy
Modern examples?
Typically, what happens?