Comic Devices for Mocks

Question 1

What is Farce

Answer 1

• a form of theatre evolved form farcial comedy
  Foolish exaggerated characters in absurd and improbable situations

Question 2

What is Absurtity

Answer 2

something completely ridiculous

Question 3

What is dramatic irony

Answer 3

we know something the characters on stage dont

Question 4

What is wit

Answer 4

quick thinking, verbal skills, clever use of language to create comic repartee (cleverness in reply)

Question 5

What is slapstick

Answer 5

physical action that looks like it should involve physical injury

Question 6

What is rule of three

Answer 6

once, twice, three times - bigger and bigger and bigger

Question 7

What is parody

Answer 7

exaggeration or imitation certain characteristic of a person

Question 8

What is double take

Answer 8

delayed reaction

1 - look but not acknowledge
2 - look to the audience (brain processes, audience read the realisation in face)
3 - snap back to look again at what you thought u had seen, react with a gasp
4 - snap back to the audience, take in a breath

Question 9

What is reversal

Answer 9

unexpected change in pace or rhythm

Question 10

What is slight

Answer 10

unexpected slide from one idea to another, change in rhythm but is delayed

performed to cover something up

Question 11

What is surpirse

Answer 11

an unexpected action or reaction

Question 12

What is superiority theory

Answer 12

laugh at the less fortunate than us - loveable fool

Question 13

what are 2 examples of superiority theory in ASTTM?

Answer 13

1. Truffaldino getting beat with his slapstick
2. Truffaldino tries to lift a trunk that is too heavy for him

Question 14

What is relief theory

Answer 14

Laugh as a release of tension and pent up nervous energy - may feel unsure or uncomfortable with what we are seeing and feel inappropriate emotions

Question 15

What is an example of relief theory in ASTTM?

Answer 15

• truffaldino about to take a beating - we know it will happen (dramatic irony), Pantalone holding the slapstick, draws his arm back with an angry face and makes a big sweeping swing to hit truffaldinos rear, we hold our breath and as truffaldino leaps up in the air in exaggerated pain, leaping around the stage, we laugh as we are relieved it was just a gag

Question 16

what is an example of incongruity?

Answer 16

when you hear or see something out of place within the given scene

when your expectations have prepared you for something completely different, temporary confusion is replaced with humour

Question 17

What is an example of incongruity theory in ASTTM?

Answer 17

Beatrice being disguised as her brother, the audience can see this is a women in a disguise but the characters accept her as a man. We laugh particularly from dramatic irony of knowing something those on stage do no know, but also due to incongruity is seeing a woman doing things typically consider mans things

Question 18

What is the context for the incongruity theory of Beatrice

Answer 18

This would have had a far greater response when this play was performed in the 18th century, today women doing the things a man would do is accepted as entirely credible

Question 19

Where is incongruity seen in truff?

Answer 19

When Truff tried to be something he is not, e.g. uses language that suggests culture and education, he plays superior to Brighella who clearly has more knowledge about food, laying tables and service than he has