This type of comedy is called "slapstick comedy," which relies heavily on physical humor, exaggerated movements, and improbable situations to generate laughter from the audience. Examples include classic comedians like Charlie Chaplin and The Three Stooges.
Another phrase for humor based on ridiculous happenings is "absurd comedy." This type of humor often highlights exaggerated situations, nonsensical scenarios, and illogical conclusions, leading to laughter through the sheer ridiculousness of the events. It relies on unexpected twists and characters that challenge the norms of reality.
"Ludicrously comical" describes something that is extremely absurd, ridiculous, or laughably funny to the point that it seems almost unbelievable or exaggerated in its humor. It often involves situations, events, or stories that are so exaggerated or implausible that they provoke laughter or disbelief.
The assumptions may be exaggerated.
In this excerpt from "Gulliver's Travels," Swift satirizes the absurdity of human pride and the triviality of political and social conflicts. He highlights how people often engage in ridiculous disputes over seemingly insignificant differences, emphasizing the folly of taking such matters seriously. Through exaggerated characters and situations, Swift critiques the tendency of society to prioritize personal or nationalistic egos over reason and common sense.
social embarrassment
Abel Mallory and Pauline Ringtop are made to look particularly ridiculous through the use of physical comedy, exaggerated gestures, and absurd situations in the play. Their dialogue may involve wordplay, puns, or nonsensical statements that highlight their foolishness. The characters may also be dressed in outlandish costumes or placed in comedic scenarios that emphasize their buffoonery. Overall, the playwright utilizes various theatrical techniques to create a sense of humor and ridicule around Abel Mallory and Pauline Ringtop.
In A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare makes fun of human excesses such as irrational love, jealousy, and arrogance. The characters' behavior is exaggerated to highlight these flaws and create comedic situations throughout the play.
In "Of Mice and Men," hyperbole is used to emphasize characters' emotions or situations. For example, when Lennie says he could drink the whole pool if he was thirsty, it is a hyperbolic statement to show his innocence and lack of understanding. Hyperbole is used throughout the novel to highlight the struggles and dreams of the characters in a vivid and exaggerated way.
A tragedy has a sad ending. A melodrama is a play with simple one-dimensional characters and obvious conflicts. Melodramas often substitute spectacle for dramatic subtlety.
In pantomime, common stock characters include the principal boy, often played by a young woman, who is typically adventurous and charming. The dame, usually a comedic older woman, provides humor and often interacts with the audience. Other characters include the villain, who embodies mischief and trouble, and the fairy or good character, who guides the hero. These characters are exaggerated and serve to engage the audience through familiar archetypes and comedic situations.
There are various types of humor in literature, including verbal humor (wordplay, puns), situational humor (ridiculous situations or misunderstandings), satirical humor (criticizing society or individuals), and physical humor (slapstick comedy or exaggerated actions). Each type of humor adds a different layer of amusement to the text.
In "How I Met Your Mother," the "What Really Happened" scenes are a humorous narrative device that offers alternate perspectives on events. These scenes often present exaggerated or comedic reinterpretations of situations, revealing the characters' biases and misconceptions. While they are not "real" in the literal sense, they serve to enhance the storytelling and provide insight into the characters' personalities and relationships.