Comedy

=Importance of Being Earnest__ Comedy__=

The Greek word //komoidia means// “the song of the //komos”// A //komos// is a communal ritual carouse: similar to party crashing and barhopping rolled into one. It was similar to Mardi gras with the costumes; the ancient rites were more orderly and scripted. This was the time when normal social rules and inhibitions were cast aside. The ancient //komos// often involved wearing masks and costumes, but also was marked by another practice //aischrologica// or the ritual abuse of individuals. Another addition to //komoi,// was the phallus: an imitation penis, often too large for one person to carry. These rites occurred in the spring or mid to late winter. They may have served a number of psychological, social or political ends. (Porter Online)

Five Classic Comedies:

Aristophanes. __Lysistrata.__ Douglas Parker, Trans. New York: Signet Classics. 2001. Moliere. __The Misanthrope and Other Plays.__ New York: Signet Classics. 1968. Shakespeare, William. __Four Great Comedies__. New York: Signet Classics, 1998 Voltaire. __Candide.__ New York: Penguin Classics : New York. 1968.

[|Wilde], Oscar The Importance of Being Earnest.

Burlesque Comedy Dell'arte Comedy of Manners Double Entendre [|E] [|pi] [|g] [|r] [|a] [|m] Farce High Comedy Irony Low Comedy Physical Comedy Pun Satire Situation Comedy Slapstick Wit
 * __Comic Terms__**