Comedy Facts & Worksheets

Comedy is a genre within fiction aimed at eliciting laughter and amusement. You can find it in plays, movies, stand-up shows, TV programs, books, and more. It started way back in ancient Greece, where comedians used funny stories to poke fun at politicians and society. There are different kinds of comedy, like slapstick humor with crazy situations, romantic comedies that make us laugh while watching love stories unfold, and dark comedy that talks about serious themes in a light-hearted way.

See the fact file below for more information about ELA: Comedy, or you can download our 26-page ELA: Comedy worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

TERMINOLOGY

• The word comedy comes from an ancient Greek term meaning a type of play that makes people laugh.
• In ancient Greece and Rome, comedy was used to describe plays with happy endings, unlike tragedies that had sad endings.
• Aristotle, an ancient Greek philosopher, said that comedy is about showing characters who are not perfect and make mistakes, but these mistakes are not harmful and make us laugh.
• During the Middle Ages, comedy also came to describe stories with happy endings.
• As time passed, comedy started to include any performance that made people laugh, and it became linked with satire, which is humor that criticizes something.

HISTORY

• Western comedy has a long and interesting history that goes back to ancient Greece. 
• One of the key figures in this history is Aristophanes, who lived during Ancient Greek times.
• Aristophanes is famous for turning earlier plays called satyr plays, which were often a little rude and naughty, into what we know as comedy today.
• He wrote many funny plays that were enjoyed by people back then.
• Around 335 BCE, Greek philosopher and polymath Aristotle wrote about comedy in a book called “Poetics.”
• He thought that comedy came from silly parades and making fun of serious things.
• Aristotle divided comedy into three types: silly ones called farce, love stories with happy endings called romantic comedy, and comedies that poke fun at serious matters called satire.
• Nonetheless, not everyone agreed with Aristotle.
• Another famous philosopher named Plato thought comedy could be bad because it might make people lose control of themselves.
• When we think about Shakespeare’s time, comedy was more about happy endings and having fun. 
• Comedy then changed with new forms like slapstick in England and vaudeville in America.
• Famous comedians like Charlie Chaplin, Robin Williams, and Jim Carrey made people laugh in silent films and later on television.

HISTORICAL FORMS

• Ancient Greek Comedy refers to a time when Greeks had a good laugh at festivals with silly songs and jokes.
• When the Romans came along, they had their own version of comedy, which was similar to the Greek style but with Roman themes and characters.
• During the Renaissance period in Italy, there was a type of comedy called commedia dell’arte. wherein actors wore masks, did physical humor, and made up funny scenes on the spot. 
• In old England, Shakespeare wrote comedies that were all about love, mistaken identities, and happy endings, such as “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” or “Twelfth Night”.
• Fast forward to the 19th century, and slapstick comedy became a hit with exaggerated actions at the core of its art.
• Satirical comedy uses humor to make fun of politics and society.
• Human behavior can also be a subject of satirical comedy.
• Shows or movies in the genre of surreal comedy show things you would not expect to happen in everyday life, like animals talking or people doing crazy stunts.

MUSICAL COMEDY

• Musical comedy is a type of entertainment that combines music, singing, and dancing with comedic storytelling.
• Musical comedy has its origins in the 19th century, particularly in vaudeville shows and operettas. 
• Vaudeville shows were variety performances that included singing, dancing, and comedy sketches.
• Operettas were light-hearted musical dramas with spoken dialogue and catchy songs.
• In the early 20th century, musical comedy became more popular with the advent of Broadway musicals.
• Broadway is a famous theater district in New York City known for its amazing productions.
• Musicals like “Show Boat” and “Oklahoma!” became huge hits.
• Modern examples include “The Book of Mormon,” which satirizes religion with humor, and “Hamilton,” a hip-hop musical that tells the story of America’s founding fathers in a unique way.

IMPROVISATIONAL COMEDY

• Improvisational comedy, also known as improv, is a type of comedy where performers make up scenes and jokes on the spot without a script.
• Viola Spolin was an American theater academic who played a big role in developing games and exercises to help actors think on their feet and be more spontaneous.
• In the 1950s and 1960s, improv became popular thanks to groups like The Second City and The Committee.
• The cool thing about improv is that it’s different every time; you never know what’s going to happen, which makes it exciting for both performers and audiences.

STAND-UP COMEDY

• Stand-up comedy is a type of entertainment where comedians perform jokes and funny stories on stage in front of an audience.
• It took off in the early 1900s with comedians performing in theaters and on radio shows.
• It’s a way for comedians to share their humor and connect with audiences in a meaningful way.
• Some famous stand-up comedians include George Carlin, who was known for his clever jokes about society and politics, and Richard Pryor, who talked about his life experiences in a light-hearted way.
• Joan Rivers broke barriers as one of the first successful female comedians, and Eddie Murphy became a comedy legend with his hilarious characters.

OTHER COMEDIC GENRES

• Anecdotal comedy centers on personal stories, sometimes exaggerated, that comedians share to make people laugh.
• Dark comedy deals with serious and sometimes disturbing topics like death or war.
• With character comedy, comedians create funny personas to entertain the audience.
• Deadpan comedy challenges comedians to tell jokes without changing their facial expressions or emotions.
• When doing heritage comedy, comedians joke about their own cultural nuances or backgrounds.
• Observational comedy is the type where comedians poke fun at everyday life or things we often take for granted.
• Physical comedy uses gestures, movements, and sometimes props to make audiences laugh.
• Topical comedy is based on current events or news.

ELA: Comedy Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Comedy across 26 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Comedy. There are different kinds of comedy, like slapstick humor with crazy situations, romantic comedies that make us laugh while watching love stories unfold, and dark comedy that talks about serious themes in a light-hearted way.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Comedy Facts
2. Humor Handbook
3. Comedy Crossword
4. Comedy in History
5. Come Correct
6. Cinema Quest
7. Shakespeare Endings
8. Laughter Masters
9. Sketch Script
10. Comedy Strip
11. Reel Review

Frequently Asked Questions

What is comedy literature?

Comedy literature is a genre of fiction that aims to entertain and amuse readers through humor, wit, and satire. It encompasses a wide range of works, including novels, plays, short stories, and poetry, that use comedic elements such as irony, wordplay, exaggeration, and absurdity to provoke laughter and explore the lighter side of life.

What are some common themes found in comedy literature?

Common themes in comedy literature include human folly, social satire, absurd situations, mistaken identity, and the clash of cultures or generations. Comedy often explores the quirks and absurdities of everyday life, poking fun at societal norms, conventions, and institutions while providing insights into human nature and behavior.

Who are some notable authors in comedy literature?

There are many notable authors in comedy literature, spanning various time periods and styles. Some include William Shakespeare, celebrated for his comedic plays like “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Twelfth Night”; Mark Twain, known for his satirical wit in works such as “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”; Jane Austen, renowned for her sharp social commentary and comedic novels like “Pride and Prejudice” and “Emma”; Oscar Wilde, famous for his witty plays such as “The Importance of Being Earnest”; and P.G. Wodehouse, beloved for his humorous Jeeves and Wooster series.

What are the subgenres of comedy literature?

Comedy literature encompasses various subgenres, including farce, romantic comedy, satire, black comedy, slapstick comedy, absurdism, and parody. Each subgenre employs different comedic techniques and conventions to elicit laughter and entertain audiences, catering to diverse tastes and sensibilities.

How has comedy literature evolved over time?

Comedy literature has evolved alongside societal changes, technological advancements, and shifts in literary tastes. While traditional comedy often relied on physical humor and wordplay, contemporary comedy literature encompasses a broader range of styles and themes, including social and political satire, dark humor, and metafictional comedy. Additionally, the advent of digital platforms and self-publishing has democratized the genre, allowing for greater diversity and experimentation in comedic storytelling. Despite these changes, comedy literature continues to serve as a mirror to society, offering laughter, insight, and catharsis to readers across generations.

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