modes of comedy in LWF and Betrayal

Question 1

What is the thesis regarding comedic techniques in Betrayal?

Answer 1

Comedic techniques are utilized for dramatic effect, causing the audience to laugh out of awkwardness, discomfort, and disconcertion, but not joy or humour.

Question 2

What is the purpose of comedic techniques in LWF?

Answer 2

The comedic techniques are meant to be funny, and the laughter encourages soft social criticism.

Question 3

Example of farce in LWF 1?

Answer 3

“Mrs E. looked very handsome tonight, didn’t she?” CG, act 3

Question 4

Example of farce in LWF 2?

Answer 4

“Talking about the purity of love, and that sort of thing, and he has got a woman in his rooms all this time.” CG, act 3

Question 5

Example of farce in Betrayal 1?

Answer 5

“so let’s say I, whom they laughingly assume to be your husband, had taken the letter, having declared myself to be your husband but in truth being a total stranger” Robert, scene 5

Question 6

Example of farce in Betrayal 2?

Answer 6

“this is the only thing that has ever happened. Your eyes kill me. I’m lost. You’re wonderful” Jerry, scene 9

Question 7

Example of black comedy in LWF 1?

Answer 7

“i am bound to say he never gave away any large sums of money to anybody. He is far too high-principled for that!” DofB, act 1

Question 8

Example of black comedy in LWF 2?

Answer 8

“you haven’t got the kind of brains that enables a woman to get back. You have neither the wit nor the courage” Mrs E, act 3

Question 9

Example of black comedy in Betrayal 1?

Answer 9

“the funny thing is that it was me who made the calls - to you, when I left him boozing at the bar. That’s the funny thing” Jerry, scene 1

Question 10

Example of black comedy in Betrayal 2?

Answer 10

“I’ve hit Emma once of twice […] I just felt like giving her a good bashing. The old itch … you understand” Robert, scene 2

Question 11

Example of wit in LWF 1?

Answer 11

“I resist everything except temptation” Lord D, act 1

Question 12

Example of wit in LWF 2?

Answer 12

“to be intelligible is to be found out” Lord D, act 1

Question 13

Example of wit in Betrayal 1?

Answer 13

“you look well” Emma, “well, i’m not all that well, really” Jerry, Scene 1

Question 14

Example of wit in Betrayal 2?

Answer 14

“I’ve always liked Jerry. To be honest, I’ve always liked him rather more than I’ve liked you. Maybe I should have had an affair with him myself” Robert, scene 5

Question 15

What did Michael Billington say about Pinter?

Answer 15

“Pinter wrote from the vantage point of skeptical enquiry” - he wasn’t born into money and is well placed to criticise the middle classes he comes to represent.

Question 16

What did Michael Billington say about the reason for comedy?

Answer 16

“insouciant lightness concealing inner mortification”