Dramatic comedy originated in ancient Greece, and was deemed Old Comedy. It was a way for playwrights to provide their commentary on politics, society, and wars. During the Hellenistic period, comedy was more romantic in tone, and decidedly less satirical and critical. Centuries later, the Catholic church rose to power and took over most dramatic performances, however, they allowed one festival to be run by the lower clergy, the Festival of Fools, that reveled in opposition to authority. In 16th century Italy, comedy became improvised and included certain parameters, but thrived with its pioneering performances. This type of theatre known as Commedia dell'Arte, traveled to France, Germany, Spain, England, leaving behind a lasting impression
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The plot of the plays could not occur in everyday life, but it often parallels with real events. The comedy in ancient Greece emphasize the exaggerations of the plot to point up the absurdity of their real life counterparts. Old Comedy emphasized the pleasures of eating, drinking, sex, wealth and leisure, all things that characterized Greek virtue (Brockett 16). Old Comedy was shaped mainly by Aristophanes, a comic playwright, who wrote during the Peloponnesian War. The reality of the war between Athens and Sparta and the war-peace idea was a prominent topic in his comedies. Aristophanic comedy included a prologue that establishes mood and sets forth the “happy idea.” Then the chorus enters to debate the merits of the idea. This debate is called the parabasis, a choral ode in which the audience is addressed directly, some social or political problem discussed and a line of action advocated. The final scene, komos, concludes with the reconciliation of all the characters and their exit to a feast or revels. Aristophanes’ Lysistrata (411 BCE), is an anti-war play that contains the far fetched “happy idea” that the war will end as the result of the women’s sex strike and their seizing of the Acropolis. Their actions lead men to despair because of sexual frustration and deprivation of the city’s war funds. The play was very popular, but sparked controversy from those who were in favor of the
The plot of the plays could not occur in everyday life, but it often parallels with real events. The comedy in ancient Greece emphasize the exaggerations of the plot to point up the absurdity of their real life counterparts. Old Comedy emphasized the pleasures of eating, drinking, sex, wealth and leisure, all things that characterized Greek virtue (Brockett 16). Old Comedy was shaped mainly by Aristophanes, a comic playwright, who wrote during the Peloponnesian War. The reality of the war between Athens and Sparta and the war-peace idea was a prominent topic in his comedies. Aristophanic comedy included a prologue that establishes mood and sets forth the “happy idea.” Then the chorus enters to debate the merits of the idea. This debate is called the parabasis, a choral ode in which the audience is addressed directly, some social or political problem discussed and a line of action advocated. The final scene, komos, concludes with the reconciliation of all the characters and their exit to a feast or revels. Aristophanes’ Lysistrata (411 BCE), is an anti-war play that contains the far fetched “happy idea” that the war will end as the result of the women’s sex strike and their seizing of the Acropolis. Their actions lead men to despair because of sexual frustration and deprivation of the city’s war funds. The play was very popular, but sparked controversy from those who were in favor of the