Anti-sentimental comedy

Paper 2- The Neo-classical LiteraturePrepared by – Vaidehi Hariyani

In general sense, what makes us laugh is comedy.

It is an art of performing or making jokes, satire and humour.

Example – comic plays, movies, TV shows, books etc.

What is comedy ?

It is an 18th century dramatic genre. It evokes emotions like pity, sorrow and

sympathy. This comedy is nearer to tragedy. The purpose of the writers was to produce

tears rather than laughter. It was popular among middle class

audience.

What is Sentimental comedy?

The opposite of sentimental comedy. When sentimental comedy did not last

long, “Oliver Goldsmith” and “Richard Brinsley Sheridan” created anti-sentimental comedy.

Deals with the relations and women living in a upper class society.

Evokes laughter and vulgarity.

What is Anti-sentimental comedy?

Difference

Sentimental comedy Anti-sentimental comedy

Evokes pity and sorrow.

Middle class Nearer to tragedy. Example – Richard

Steele's “The conscious lover”.

Evokes laughter and

vulgarity. Upper class Nearer to comedy. Example – Richard

Sheridan’s “The Rivals”.

Wit Laughter Farce Irony Disguise

Characteristics of Anti-sentimental comedy

Wit is a form of intelligent humour,the ability to say or write things that are clever and usually funny.

Wit

Laughter is the best medicine.

Laughter

Farce is a comedy that aims at entertaining the audience through situations that are highly exaggerated.

Farce

The use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning.

Irony

To modify the manner or appearance of a person through wig, glasses, makeup, costume or other ways.

Disguise