Comedy Versus Tragedy

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Comedy Versus Tragedy

Tragedy

Death, guilt as well as betrayal

Starts off with some hope, but in the end the character gets punished

Demonstrates human suffering with an unhappy ending

The one least expected overcomes many obstacles

Trying to escape the reality and make it into something better

The heroes ambitious attitude drives them to do what they think is right, ultimately leading them to lose their morals

Conflict between someone wear and someone who is stronger than them

The downfall at the end is supposed to be a lesson taught to readers/ viewers

Includes evil rulers, scapegoats, trapped heroes, family breakups

Includes snakes, lions or wolves

The theme of darkness is heavily present. This includes dying, fire, coolness, mild storms, heat, fog, mighty rivers and rolling seas.

Vegetation is dying/ unkept

The daily cycle is dusk

The life cycle is based on middle age

Typically occurs in the fall season

Heroes

Isolation from the community plays a huge role in the characters life

Recognition- heroes change from ignorance to awareness

The hero typically makes a huge discovery or has a rude awakening and views everything differently

There is a disrespect for natural order or laws given by someone superior to them

A tragic flaw, on that is the cause of the downfall of the hero. followed by a plot twist, downfall, recognition and suffering

The downfall is the most important part of the story as it is the part that teaches the readers/ viewers a lesson

Typically includes kings and queens, nobility (greatness to fall to bottom)

The story of Actaeon

I believe that Actaeon is an innocent victim of a power higher than himself. Actaeon was a master of the hunt and did a great job doing so. Actaeon had pure intentions and I believe that he had no intentions of seeing Diana 'undressed' After the hunt had ended, Actaeon and the dogs had gone to a place to cool down, ultimately leading to his death. His intentions were pure and he meant to help the dogs to recover from the heat, but this honest mistake lead to him becoming a deer, then being attacked and killed by his own dogs

The girl who was sacrificed by her kin

The sun was very hot and there was no rain, the village where everyone lived had gone into drought. The crops were not growing and the village was slowly dying. Wanjiru did not have any other choice but to sacrifice herself for her people. The people of the village bought her with goats. Wanjiru was an innocent character who sacrificed herself for the well being of others. She sunk down to her neck into the dirt and the rain came. Even though she sacrificed herself, her own people sold her shamefully

Going to the moon

In this story the main character, the young boy, feels very isolated and I believe that he is depressed. His world is so upsetting and not idea. However, when his teacher begins to show the class about the moon and discuss the space station, the young boy gains a new perspective for life. This innocent young boy now is excited to go to school and hes slowly beginning to enjoy his life again. The big launch is coming up and the students were told that they would be able to watch is during class. A few days later, the news broke that the astronauts had died in a fire during the practice launch. Instead of watching the launch the kids had watched the funeral for the astronauts during class. His cousin died shortly after, leaving their whole family depressed and the main character is back to his feelings at the beginning of the story. The ending is left dark and dystopic

"A temporary hell [his] parents had left behind in Italy and the vague promise of the skyline that appeared up beyond the Detroit river."

This quote demonstrates the feelings that this character has about his living situation. The character describes his life as a temporary hell and is clearly unhappy with his life. This is different from comedy as characters seem to have equal odds with winning and losing battles but here it seems as though the character can never win

Macbeth

"There would have been a time for such a word. Tomorrow, and tomorrow and tomorrow... it is a tale" -Macbeth

This quote demonstrates hoe people among the society including those who are superior live a meaningless and empty life. This quote demonstrates that everyday is the exact same, with nothing to look forward to and nothing different about each day. After his wife dies i\he is left with nothing except misery and sorrow

Subtopic

Typically unhappy with how things are run

They point out a flaw in the society and try to change it, however it is never in their favor

They struggle against something that is unchangeable, and when they try to argue it, they are faced with a punishment that typically leads to death

Fate is predetermined

They are often noble, their power displays their greatness but at the same time foreshadows their fall

The are used to help the reader visualize a dark, hell like theme where something bad is going to happen and there is never a possibility of a positive outcome

Mighty rivers, rolling ses

Coolness, mild, storms, heat and fog

Fall / autumn

Wolves, snakes, lions

Isolation

Unhappy love life

Darkness, fire, dying

Comedy

Plot Patterns

Typically has a happy ending but is often to have double plots

The plot is not too plausible

Cynicism but offers hope in renewal

Many instances where there are obvious encounters but they tend to appear as coincidental

There tends to be many celebrations, people enjoy their life

Conflict between a younger, youthful hero and an elder keeping them from their future and getting what they want

Themes (as per handout)

Elements

Use of words that can mean two different things (puns)

Repetition

Surprise

Setting

It includes scenes with lots of greenery, flowers and nature

The story is set in a world of new experience

The heroes focus on a brave new world, renewed society, families and good leaders

Includes lambs, doves, phoenix and kittens

Typically warmth and warm whether. Also includes rain. mist, gentle bodies of water, refreshing/ warm breezes.

The daily cycle is dawn

The life cycle is based on rebirth

Occurs in the spring

Might be the beginning of something new

New beginnings, rebirth and renewal

Character Types

Trickster

Typically very foolish

Lots of rule breaking is involved

Does not care about the superiors, tends to break all of their laws

Is usually a magician or someone who can create illusions

Hero

Does not have any powers or flaws, the character is just a regular person in society

Wins and losses seem to be equal

Wins by luck and wakes up to a better nature and overall better life after

Usually young in age or young in spirit

Very likable and relatable to viewers

Struggles with the society as well as with keeping individuality present among that society

Usually fights against someone superior to them

Antagonists in different stories

SteepleJack

The character paints a picture of a happy town and describes all of its beauties. There are simple people filled in a beautiful town and nobody possess any tragic flaws. The people of the town are happy and they find love in the church

"It could not be dangerous living in a town like this, of simple people"

This short story helps to demonstrate that unlike tragedy, there are not people who have unnatural powers, and everyone really does just live a simple life.

Happiness

The writer demonstrates that there is so much to be happy about and so many blessings that they have in their lives. There is no room for hatred or greed and everyone feeds on the happiness

"We live happily indeed,not hating those who hate us! among men who hate us we dwell free from hatred!"

This helps to contrast the difference between comedy and tragedy as people live happily. The people in this short story do not hate and they are not greedy and they live every day feeding off of the happiness.

Perspectives On Lives

Typically less of a struggle compared to tragedy

Their problem is often solved by a coincidence occurring

They typically encounter conflict with someone who is older and stronger than themselves

They typically overcome an obstacle with the help of luck

Their losses balance our with their wins, they are typically happy about life and celebrate many things such as weddings and join parties

Key Symbols / Imagery

They are used to enlighten the reader and help them to visualize a setting of peace and joy and possibly imagery of a perfect society

Lambs, dove, phoenix and kittens

Rebirth or nature, gardens and mountains

Refreshing/ warm breezes

Glowing light

Blade of grass coming through soil in spring

Blooming, buds, sprouts