Comedy Worksheets

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

This is the form of literature that is intended to entertain and amuse the audience that it is written for. The overall structure of this genre of literature often begins with a likeable character or cast of them that over the course of the work over come a hopeless situation. These are rising stories that characteristically end in with uplifting a positive outcome. This is why they are often referred to as feel good stories. There are many different types of comedies across all types of mediums. They do all exhibit a recurring formula to appeal to their respective audiences. These worksheets will help students learn the features and characteristics of comedies.

Comedy Worksheets To Print:

Or Tragedy - Read each short plot summary. Is the story a tragedy?

Types - Define each type of comedy and give an example of each.

Satire and Farce - How do these relate and where do they go in a different direction?

Complete It - You will need to read into the context before you place each word.

Characteristics - How do modern comedies differ from those of Aristotle's or Shakespeare's eras?

Tragedy - Compare and contrast the related concepts by writing their characteristics into the correct boxes.

Reading It - You will read one of five different works.

Modern Forms - Think of a modern movie that you, would classify as this form? Does it fit Aristotle's definition? Why or why not?

Aristotle's Definition - Is the protagonist "worse than average?" If so, in exactly what way?

Shakespeare - Identify if and/or how each element appears in the play.

Exploring Movies - See how each of these elements pop up in a movie that you would like.

Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is generally classified as a tragedy; however, it differs from Shakespeare's other tragedies and deviates from some of the conventions of the traditional tragedy genre.

Shakespearean - Where do you find each of these elements in one or all of his works.

Versus Drama - Compare and contrast the journeys of the protagonist in comedy vs. drama.

Types - Where are the highs and the lows.

Comedy - The Art of Making Your Ribs Tickle

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary defines comedy as a branch of play dealing with ordinary life and humorous incidents. It also refers to a comic or light-hearted play. Moreover, plays having happy endings can be characterized as comedies. Deacon says that comedy represents life's powers against deaths. It simply refers to a form of entertainment that is full of fun and laughter.


The Characteristics of Comedy


The following are some of the most important aspects of comedy:


1. It is Derived from Your Daily Life


Middle-class society's familiar and domestic events are the focus of comedic material. It's the direct opposite of tragedy. There's a discussion of the democratic value placed on a person's social standing. Some characters become more important than others.


2. It Focuses on a Class Rather Than an Individual


In contrast to tragedy, which focuses on individuals and their personalities, the comedy focuses on the sorts and classes of people. A comic writer creates absurd characters for us to laugh at. Shakespeare's Dogberry and Verges depict a class of people whose ethics, morals, and laws are entirely different from our own.


3. It Is Insensitive


Insensibility to the audience is a hallmark of comedy. The audience's sense of hilarity and joy will vanish if they feel empathy for the character. Their humanity can be elicited only by portraying them as real people rather than stereotypes. Because Shakespeare introduced us to Shylock, he was deemed a tragic hero. Comedic dramatists frequently favor logic over feeling in their work.


4. It Deals with Life's Complexities Humorously


There are no issues with this type of drama. Slightly problematic characters detract from the comedy's appeal. It can be seen as an option for dealing with life's complexities.


5. It is the Presentation of Unreality


The events that take place in a comic setting have little relevance to an average person's life. According to Nicoll, "In comedy, when persons are artificialized into types, the settings are distanced so far from actual life situations that there is no direct relation between the two."


6.Yet, it Is Relatable


Absurdity is the fundamental source of risibility and the thing that makes us laugh at the end of a joke. The risibility in comedy relies on characters behaving normally to elicit laughter. For a body of work to be truly funny, something more or less ordinary must be shown in conjunction with the comic circumstance, words, or character. A work that features a huge number of odd characters loses much of its appeal as a source of entertainment.


Classic vs. Romantic


When it comes to comedy, classicists follow the rules of ancient Greek and Roman literature. Classical comedies like Aristophanes and Platus Terence are their inspiration. The classical form aims to be satirical. It's not just about having fun; it's about making a difference in the world.


On the other hand, the writer deviates from traditional comedic standards in a romantic comedy. They get preoccupied with their state of mind and write what interests their hearts. Compared to classical form, there is a mixture of both comedic and sad components. It is not intended to be informative or moralistic. Its primary purpose is to entertain its readers. Shakespeare's plays are said to have a romantic undertone.


Final Words


What is life without a bit of comic whimsy? That's what a comedy piece is all about. If you want to write comedy, be sure to incorporate the characteristics mentioned in this article into your comic piece to make it a success.