AQA Aspects of Comedy

Question 1

Which aspects of comedy relate to language and dramatic methods.

Answer 1

1. The way that language is used to hieghten the comedy, particullarly wit and linguistic play.
2. The way that comedy draws attention to itself.

Question 2

Which aspects of comedy relates to structure?
[3]

Answer 2

1. The structural patterning of the text as it moves from disorder to order, incorporating misrule,
2. How competition between the characters is set up and resolved, how opposites are contrasted and reconciled, leading to comic resolutions.
3. The use of complex plotting and subplots.

Question 3

Which aspects relate to the end / structure of a text?

Answer 3

1. The journey towards knowledge and happiness for the protaganist, moments of unhapiness and ultimate sense of joy.
2. The sense that all will end well and fortune smiles

Question 4

Which aspects of comedy relate to the importance of stock characters?

Answer 4

1. The role of the comic villian, or rival, who directly affects the fortune of the hero or heroine, who causes disruption to the cheerful mood but whose power is finally curtailed.

Curtailed - reduced in extent or quantity ; impose restriction on

Question 5

Which aspects of comedy relate to the behaviour of characters?

Answer 5

1. How the behaviour of the hero or heroine primarily affects themselves and perhaps one or two others, as opposed to countries or states as in tragedy.
2. The significance of human folly, trickery and gullibility.

Question 6

Which aspect of comedy relates to attitudes and behaviour?

Answer 6

1. The inclusion of clowns, exaggeration, stereotypes, pompous attitudes and posturing.

Question 7

Which aspect of comedy incorporates themes of a text?

Answer 7

The use of disguise, escapes and discovery, elements of the supernatural.

Question 8

What aspect of comedy relates to authorial intent and effect on the audience

Answer 8

Ultimatetly how comedy affects the audience, inviting laughter at the ridiculous nature of human beings and a sense of joy that positive resolutions are possible.