Would you call this passage high comedy or low? Explain the reasons foryour choice

What will be an ideal response?



  • The definition of high comedy in the anthology states that it “relies more on wit and wordplay than on physical action for its humor. It tries to address the audience’s intelligence by pointing out the pretension and hypocrisy of human behavior. . . . One technique it employs to appeal to a sophisticated, verbal audience is use of the epigram, a brief and witty statement that memorably expresses some truth, large or small.” It would be difficult to think of a work that better embodies this definition than The Importance of Being Earnest. The humor of the play is predominantly intellectual in nature. It resides in reversal of expectations, such as Lady Bracknell’s approval of smoking and of ignorance; in absurd exaggeration for satiric effect, as in Lady Bracknell’s comparison of Jack’s origins to “the worst excesses of the French Revolution”; and in frequent wordplay, as seen in the double meanings of duties (obligations and taxes), make out (discern and profit), and, most famously, lose (misplace and be bereaved).

Language Arts & World Languages

You might also like to view...

Complete lo siguiente, usando el equivalente español de las palabras que aparecen entre paréntesis.

Yo _____________________________ ese hombre. (wouldn't marry)

Language Arts & World Languages

Sumamos.   Your younger brother is learning to add. Write out the missing number by adding up the two numbers.? Sesenta y veintidós son _____________________________________.?

Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).

Language Arts & World Languages

Gramática: Mandatos de Uds. Completa losespacios en blanco con el mandato de Uds. de los verbos entre paréntesis para averiguar qué nos piden mis padres a mis hermanos y a mí. (Mantenerse) _________________________en forma.

Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).

Language Arts & World Languages

"Miss Brill"--Katherine Mansfield Which of the following is the best description of the point of view used in "Miss Brill"?

A. third person, omniscient B. third person, limited omniscient C. first person, major character D. first person, minor character

Language Arts & World Languages