Comedy
Comedy is a form of entertainment that uses humor, incongruity, or social satire to amuse, often resolving conflicts with a happy ending.
Incongruity theory: A theory that explains humor as a response to a mismatch between expectations and what occurs. Unexpected mismatches are a common engine of comic surprise.
Joke: A brief expression or story designed to provoke amusement, often through a surprising ending. The joke is comedy's compact, widely shared unit.
Ancient Greek comedy: The comic theatrical tradition of ancient Greece, including Old Comedy and New Comedy. Its surviving plays established early models for political and domestic comedy.
Political satire: Humorous criticism of political leaders, policies, institutions, or public affairs. It turns comedy's ridicule toward those who wield public power.
Benign violation theory: A theory that humor arises when something seems wrong or threatening yet harmless at the same time. It explains why comic rule-breaking can amuse without provoking alarm.
Parody: An imitation of a person, style, or work that exaggerates recognizable features for comic or critical effect. Comedy often uses imitation to expose the habits of its targets.
Aristophanes: An ancient Greek comic playwright known for plays that satirized politics, war, and public figures. His work exemplifies comedy's capacity for direct civic satire.
Censorship: The suppression or restriction of expression by authorities or other controlling institutions. Comic attacks on authority have often prompted efforts to suppress performance.
Timing (comedy): The pacing and placement of words, actions, and pauses to maximize comic effect. A pause or delayed reveal can make the same joke land differently.
Satire: The use of wit, irony, or ridicule to criticize human behavior, institutions, or ideas. Satire makes criticism a central source of comic pleasure.