Comedy and Tragedy!

The lecture, “Dramatic Structure, Comedy and Tragedy, lets know that in Shakespeare’s plays the natural order of things is disrupted whether it be a tragedy or comedy. This makes sense in any form of storytelling otherwise Shakespeare or indeed any novel or play would be reduced to simply a reality TV show. For example, Macbeth would go about his normal everyday routine without any twists and turns and there would be no grand finale as the audience would fall asleep. We need to be captivated and the disorder created in everyday lives forms a plot that captivates us, as we eagerly anticipate or wait for, what happens next. Conflict is the key here, which kick starts the story from everyday life to a plot.

The lecture goes on to explain that the terms comedy or tragedy deal with the response to that conflict. Just like the laws of physics that follows Newton’s Second Law there is an equal and opposite reaction to every action. In a comedy the protagonists are many, whose main aim is through many topsy- turvy twists and turns, tries to restore that order as they have a sense of community and belonging. Comedies always in literature end in a happy ending. In contrast in a tragedy, there is usually a sole hero who is a collision course of self destruction. The hero is at war with the world and is willing to sacrifice his life for his egotistical ideals and may or may not garner sympathy from the reader.
This concept is not just restricted to the classic works of Shakespeare. Today or in recent history, in novels and films, similar themes are expressed, and there are many examples. (Meet the Fockers- Comedy or Hunger-Tragedy).

But how much of this is true to life. In reality, when we come across a conflict in our lives, whether our lives takes on the plot of a comedy or tragedy depends on us. More likely than not our response will be somewhere in between. In terms of real life examples, however although the norm is to follow the route of the comedy, it will be difficult to draw on real life examples. Tragic heroes or anti heroes come more easily, to mind, such as Marilyn Monroe, Bin Laden, Hitler, and so on, the list is endless. What is common among all these uncommon people with contrasting backgrounds is that they are disturbed and troubled and fail to resolve their issues. Ironically, everyday people resort to counseling and therapy to avoid the collision course of becoming a real life tragic hero or heroine, so it may not always end fatally. The line in the lecture, “comedy is for those who think, tragedy is for those who feel” holds so true. Perhaps no better endorsement is needed to follow your heart not your mind in order to obtain, and they all lived happily ever after.’ Amen to that!

A notable scene in Meet the Parents:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJDRkVKjMOU
communicates this concept, in which the Focker’s family home is accidentally set on fire, and mayhem is created. One can observe the chaos and torment brought to the family, in this case the community, as they struggle to resolve the issue brought at hand.