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?