Old Comedy: Aristotle (384 – 322 BCE)

1. Elements of Comedy
   1. Ludicrous & non-threatening plot
   2. Turns out well for the main character(s)
   3. Should arouse feelings of sympathy & ridicule
   4. Should be mimetic (imitate society)
2. Comedic Hero
   1. Both a comedic & ironic person
   2. …”will get his triumph whether what he has done is sensible or silly, honest or rascally” (Frye)
   3. ‘lower’ than we are in social standing or moral worth
3. Comedic Themes
   1. Hero begins by escaping society to an idyllic place
   2. He then tries to fit back into society (plot = probation)
   3. Ends with ‘salvation’ – higher social standing or worth

New Comedy: Frye (1912-1991)

1. Shakespearean Comedy
   1. Sexual desire/ erotic intrigue
   2. The social order rebukes or rejects the hero(s)
   3. Should arouse feelings of sympathy & ridicule
   4. Highly mimetic (social commentary)
2. Comedic Hero(s)
   1. Often many characters involved (silly confusion)
   2. …”will get his triumph whether what he has done is sensible or silly, honest or rascally” (Frye)
   3. Humorous characters; “but socially attractive” (Frye)
3. Comedic Themes
   1. Struggle between the repressive and desirable societies: ours vs. idyllic
   2. Paternal/ societal “block” preventing sexual fulfillment
   3. Ends with: Hero becomes wealthy;
   4. Heroine becomes respectable

Text Attributions

• This chapter was adapted from “Course Handouts” by Julia Dodge. Adapted by Allison Kilgannon. CC BY-NC-SA.