Comic Devices Flashcards

1
Q

What is superiority theory?

A

When the audience laughs at the less fortunate, laughing at the loveable fool

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2
Q

What is an example of superiority theory?

A

Truffaldino is being beaten with his slapstick or Truffaldino tries to lift a trunk that is clearly to heavy for him

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3
Q

What is an example of superiority theory?

A

Truffaldino is being beaten with his slapstick or Truffaldino tries to lift a trunk that is clearly to heavy for him

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4
Q

What is relief theory?

A

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

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5
Q

What is an example of inappropriate emotion?

A

Humour in the face of death

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6
Q

Where is relief theory seen in A servant to two masters?

A

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.

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7
Q

Where is relief theory seen in A servant to two masters?

A

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.

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8
Q

What is incongruity theory?

A

When what you see or hear seems out of place within the given scene - out of context

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9
Q

Where is incongruity seen in A servant to two masters?

A

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.

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10
Q

What is farce?

A

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.

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11
Q

What is farce?

A

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.

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12
Q

What is absurdity?

A

(Often linked to incongruity) something completely ridiculous and improbable

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13
Q

What is absurdity?

A

(Often linked to incongruity) something completely ridiculous and improbable

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14
Q

What is dramatic irony?

A

When we know something that the characters on stage dont

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15
Q

What is wit?

A

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

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16
Q

What is slapstick?

A

The physical action based comedy that often looks life it should involve physical injury (violence) but actually doe not

17
Q

What is Rule of Three?

A

If it’s once, do it again only bigger, then once more but even bigger

18
Q

What is duplication?

A

When more than one of a character, object or action appear on stage

19
Q

What is duplication?

A

When more than one of a character, object or action appear on stage

20
Q

What is parody?

A

Copying and exaggerating certain characteristics of a person (imitation or mimicry)

21
Q

What is inversion?

A

Reversal or swapping clothes

22
Q

What is juxtaposition?

A

Two actions or scenes that are funny because of the strong contrast between them

23
Q

What is comic stop?

A

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)

24
Q

What is comic stop?

A

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)

25
Q

What is double take?

A

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.

26
Q

What is reversal?

A

A sudden, quick, unexpected change in pace or rhythm

27
Q

What is reversal?

A

A sudden, quick, unexpected change in pace or rhythm

28
Q

What is slight?

A

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

29
Q

What is slight?

A

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

30
Q

What is surprise?

A

An unexpected action or reaction

31
Q

What is repetition of action?

A

Using the rule of 3 or repeating to become absurd

32
Q

What is grotesque characterisation?

A

Using animal types, exaggerated facial expressions and physicality