Tragedy Vs. ComedyTragedy Vs. Comedy

GHS Fall 2012GHS Fall 2012

Drama and TheaterDrama and Theater

What makes a tragedy a tragedy?What makes a tragedy a tragedy?What makes a comedy a comedy?What makes a comedy a comedy?

What is the broad definition?What is the broad definition?Tragedy=depicts a downfall, or there is a Tragedy=depicts a downfall, or there is a

fatal misjudgment that leads to a fall.fatal misjudgment that leads to a fall.Comedy=a happy ending, and a typical Comedy=a happy ending, and a typical

theme of someone rising to a fortune theme of someone rising to a fortune (this doesn’t always mean $)(this doesn’t always mean $)

Examine these quotes. . .Examine these quotes. . .

““Laugh and the world laughs with Laugh and the world laughs with you; weep and you weep alone.”you; weep and you weep alone.”

Even a happy life cannot be without Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.were not balanced by sadness.

““Lord, what fools these mortals be!” Lord, what fools these mortals be!”

Examine these quotes. . .Examine these quotes. . .

““Believe only half of what you see Believe only half of what you see and nothing that you hear.”and nothing that you hear.”

““The world is a tragedy to those who The world is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think.”think.”

“ “There is a thin line that separates There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt.” tragedy, humor and hurt.”

Now it is your turn. . .Now it is your turn. . .

Create your own quote about tragedy Create your own quote about tragedy and comedy.and comedy.

He is my own: “Without lies there He is my own: “Without lies there would be not truth, and without would be not truth, and without deception there would be no reason deception there would be no reason to seek it.” DJHto seek it.” DJH

Characteristics and HistoryCharacteristics and History

What do you remember from the What do you remember from the Greek and Medieval periods?Greek and Medieval periods?

Characteristics and HistoryCharacteristics and History

Tragedy and comedy have evolved Tragedy and comedy have evolved over time and offer and interesting way over time and offer and interesting way of looking at how time, place and ideas of looking at how time, place and ideas are reflected in drama, and in life.are reflected in drama, and in life.

What are the characteristics of modern What are the characteristics of modern tragedy and comedy? What movies or tragedy and comedy? What movies or televisions shows would you televisions shows would you categorizes as either a tragedy or categorizes as either a tragedy or comedy?comedy?

ExamplesExamples

Oedipus Rex, Hamlet, Much Ado Oedipus Rex, Hamlet, Much Ado about Nothing, the Tempest.about Nothing, the Tempest.

What about Everyman? It’s a What about Everyman? It’s a morality play but would you say it’s a morality play but would you say it’s a tragedy or a comedy?tragedy or a comedy?

Tartuffe and A Doll’s House.Tartuffe and A Doll’s House.

Essential Questions. . .Essential Questions. . .

How do I use drama to express my How do I use drama to express my ideas and feelings?ideas and feelings?

What are the purposes of Drama?What are the purposes of Drama?How has drama changed through the How has drama changed through the

centuries? Tragedy? Comedy?centuries? Tragedy? Comedy? Is it difficult for modern audiences to Is it difficult for modern audiences to

see the humor in Greek, Medieval see the humor in Greek, Medieval and Shakespearean plays? Why?and Shakespearean plays? Why?

Gallery WalkGallery Walk

We are going to critique quotes We are going to critique quotes about tragedy and comedy, and about tragedy and comedy, and then. . . then. . .

We will add one of our own! Or one We will add one of our own! Or one that we remember.that we remember.

This will be a group activity, so This will be a group activity, so participate!!!participate!!!