Introduction to Comedy

This book introduces readers to the genre of comedy, both on the stage and on the screen. It chronicles the history of comedy, starting with Ancient Greece, before summarising key chapters in Anglophone literary history, such as Shakespearean comedy, Restoration comedy, and Theatre of the Absurd.

Key Techniques and Theoretical Debates

The book features an overview of key comic techniques (including slapstick, puns, and wit), as well as concise summaries of major theoretical debates (including the superiority theory and the Freudian account of laughter).

Examples and Contemporary Topics

The book works with many examples from the history of Anglophone comedy, including Oscar Wilde, Monty Python, and classic sitcoms. It addresses current research into cringe humour and the controversial topic of diversity in comedy, and it connects classical tropes of comedy (like the fool or the marriage plot) to present-day examples.

Purpose and Audience

The book thus serves as an up-to-date study guide for everyone interested in comedy and its various subgenres.