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Genre

Farce

Dramatic Genres

Farce is a form of comedy that relies on amusing and highly implausible plots, stereotyped or exaggerated characters, physical humor and misunderstandings to entertain an audience. It originated in masked improvised farces in Ancient Rome, rose in popularity from the late thirteenth century, and continues today in theatre, film and television.

Facts
Place of Origin
Ancient Rome, in masked improvised farces, with an independent early tradition also in Atellan farce from around 300 BC in Italy. 1
Notable Example
La Farce de maitre Pathelin (The Farce of Master Pathelin, circa 1460), the best known farce of medieval France. 1
Defining Trait
Relies on amusing and highly implausible plots, stereotyped or exaggerated characters, physical humor and misunderstandings. 1
FAQs

What is considered the best known farce from medieval France?

La Farce de maitre Pathelin, circa 1460.

La Farce de maitre Pathelin, from around 1460, is considered the best known farce of medieval France. At roughly 1500 verses long, it is also counted among the most unusual examples of the form.
Connections

Form Of Genre

Comedy, Genres
In the Other Atlases

Originated In

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.

Sources
1. Farce (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Historical context section
    The best known farce is La Farce de maître Pathelin (The Farce of Master Pathelin) from c. 1460, although, at some 1500 verses long, it is among the most unusual.
  • In Group: Comic Drama Forms, Lead section
    Farce is a form of comedy that relies on amusing and highly implausible plots, stereotyped or exaggerated characters, physical humor and misunderstandings to entertain an audience.
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