Literature Atlas

How Stories Are Told
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme

Switch Atlas

Genre

High Comedy

Dramatic Genres

High comedy is a genre of comedy marked by intelligence and sophistication rather than physical spectacle. It favors witty dialogue, satire, wordplay, psychologically realistic characterization, intricate plotting, social commentary, and intellectual themes over broader forms of humor, and it typically draws its characters from higher social classes. A naturalistic performance style, understated rather than exaggerated, is often itself taken as a mark of high comedy on stage.

Facts
Place of Origin
The works of Menander, the leading playwright of ancient Greek New Comedy, are considered the first example of high comedy. 1
Notable Example
The quintessential example of high comedy is Oscar Wilde's play The Importance of Being Earnest. 1
Defining Trait
High comedy is distinguished by sophistication rather than physical spectacle, favoring witty dialogue, satire, wordplay, psychologically realistic characterization, intricate plotting, social commentary and intellectual themes. 1
Sources
1. High comedy (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Origins section, Menander sentence
    The works of Menander are considered to be the first example of high comedy, the plays of Aristophanes being cited by some as high comedy, and by others as only containing elements of high comedy.
  • Definition section
    Such a comedy may include witty dialogue, satire, wordplay, psychologically realistic characterisation, intricate plotting, social commentary, or intellectual themes.
  • Examples section, Wilde sentence
    The quintessential example of high comedy is The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.
View the Source
Frequently Asked Questions

What play is considered the quintessential example of high comedy?

Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest.

The quintessential example of high comedy is Oscar Wilde's play The Importance of Being Earnest, prized for its witty dialogue, social satire and wordplay rather than physical farce.
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.