Comic Devices Flashcards
What is superiority theory?
When the audience laughs at the less fortunate, laughing at the loveable fool
What is an example of superiority theory?
Truffaldino is being beaten with his slapstick or Truffaldino tries to lift a trunk that is clearly to heavy for him
What is an example of superiority theory?
Truffaldino is being beaten with his slapstick or Truffaldino tries to lift a trunk that is clearly to heavy for him
What is relief theory?
When the audience laugh to release tension and nervous energy, this happens when the audience feel unsure or uncomfortable about a scene, when the audience feel inappropriate emotions
What is an example of inappropriate emotion?
Humour in the face of death
Where is relief theory seen in A servant to two masters?
When the audience laugh as a release of tension and pent up nervous energy - may feel unsure or uncomfortable with what we are seeing or hearing; when we feel inappropriate emotions.
Where is relief theory seen in A servant to two masters?
In a slapstick moment, Truffaldino about to take a beating, we know it will happen, Pantaloon holding the slapstick, draws his arm back with an angry face and makes a big sweeping swing to his Truffaldino rear, the audience holds their breath as Truffaldino leaps into the air in exaggerated pain, leaping around the stage, the audience laugh as a relief that Truffaldino isn’t actually hurt.
What is incongruity theory?
When what you see or hear seems out of place within the given scene - out of context
Where is incongruity seen in A servant to two masters?
Beatrice being disguised as her brother, Federigo. The audience can see this is a woman in disguise but the characters accept her as a man. The audience laugh, partly from dramatic irony of knowing something those on stage do not know but also due to incongruity in seeing a woman doing thingy typically considered a mans thing to do - beating a servant, this would have had a far greater response when this play was performed in 18th century; today a woman doing the thins a man do is accepted as entirely credible.
When Truffaldino tried to be something he is not, he uses language that suggests culture and education; he plays superior to Brighella who clearly had more knowledge about food and serviced that he has.
What is farce?
Commedia del’arte is a farcical and farce as a form of theatre evolved from it.
Farce is exaggerated characters in improbable, sometimes absurd situations.
What is farce?
Commedia del’arte is a farcical and farce as a form of theatre evolved from it.
Farce is exaggerated characters in improbable, sometimes absurd situations.
What is absurdity?
(Often linked to incongruity) something completely ridiculous and improbable
What is absurdity?
(Often linked to incongruity) something completely ridiculous and improbable
What is dramatic irony?
When we know something that the characters on stage dont
What is wit?
The clever use of language that involves ingenuity, quick thinking and verbal skill to create comic repartee or banter; sometimes used to belittle or demean another
What is slapstick?
The physical action based comedy that often looks life it should involve physical injury (violence) but actually doe not
What is Rule of Three?
If it’s once, do it again only bigger, then once more but even bigger
What is duplication?
When more than one of a character, object or action appear on stage
What is duplication?
When more than one of a character, object or action appear on stage
What is parody?
Copying and exaggerating certain characteristics of a person (imitation or mimicry)
What is inversion?
Reversal or swapping clothes
What is juxtaposition?
Two actions or scenes that are funny because of the strong contrast between them
What is comic stop?
A sudden and unexpected stop in action; an extreme physical reaction that shows the character loosing control of their body and balance (classic Banana slip)
What is comic stop?
A sudden and unexpected stop in action; an extreme physical reaction that shows the character loosing control of their body and balance (classic Banana slip)
What is double take?
A delayed reaction - 1) look but do not acknowledge, look away to the audience. In that moment the brain catches up and processes what it has just seen. In a split second, the audience read this realisation on your face, then you snap back to look again and instantly see what you thought you had seen - as you react with a gasp, snap back to the audience and react again taking a further gasp.
What is reversal?
A sudden, quick, unexpected change in pace or rhythm
What is reversal?
A sudden, quick, unexpected change in pace or rhythm
What is slight?
A unexpected ‘slide’ from one idea to another; often involves a change in rhythm but it is delayed rather than quick and unexpected like the reversal; often performed to cover something up or to change the mind at the last minute
What is slight?
A unexpected ‘slide’ from one idea to another; often involves a change in rhythm but it is delayed rather than quick and unexpected like the reversal; often performed to cover something up or to change the mind at the last minute
What is surprise?
An unexpected action or reaction
What is repetition of action?
Using the rule of 3 or repeating to become absurd
What is grotesque characterisation?
Using animal types, exaggerated facial expressions and physicality
