English Literature / Unit 2 ENL 0119 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Comedy: Romantic, Satiric, of Manners
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The idea
The glossary defines comedy as drama marked by optimism, fellowship, love and good humour. Romantic comedy ends in marriage after obstacles; satiric comedy exposes folly. The comedy of manners uses witty dialogue to satirize a society's codes, as in English Restoration comedy, Congreve, and later Oscar Wilde.
In practice
Obstacles, folly, or wit at society's expense.
Where people slip
Comedy means a happy ending, not only jokes.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
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