Comic relief is when a funny character, scene, or clever conversation is added to a serious or dramatic story. This helps to reduce tension.
Definition
Comic relief is a way to reduce tension in a serious or sad story by adding a funny moment. This often happens when a character, such as a clumsy or humorous sidekick of the hero or villain, makes jokes or says things that are not serious. These characters usually point out the silly or strange parts of the hero's situation. Sometimes, other characters use humor to annoy others or to feel more confident.
Application
Sometimes, comic relief characters appear in comic stories. This usually happens when the story becomes serious, but the character stays funny. There are two types of comic relief: internal and external. Internal comic relief is part of the story's own narrative, and other characters can laugh along with the humor. External comic relief happens when the audience is meant to laugh, but the characters in the story do not.
History
In the classical tradition, tragedy and comedy were not mixed. Greek tragedy did not include any humorous scenes in plays, but it had a tradition of ending a series of tragic performances with a humorous satyr play. The Elizabethan critic Philip Sidney, following Horace’s Ars Poetica, argued that comedy should not be part of a tragic drama. However, in Renaissance England, Christopher Marlowe, a member of the University Wits, used comic relief by including crude scenes in Doctor Faustus. This followed the native tradition of the interlude, which was often performed between two tragic plays.
Function
Comic relief moments help the audience take a break from serious or sad parts of a story. They also help the story move forward.
Examples
William Shakespeare did not follow the classical tradition and used comic relief in Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, The Merchant of Venice, and Romeo and Juliet. Examples include the grave-digger scene in Hamlet, the tricking of Roderigo in Othello, and the teasing of the fool in King Lear. These moments add humor to the plays.
In Macbeth, the Porter scene provides comic relief. Before this scene, King Duncan is killed by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Afterward, Duncan’s body is found, and the castle becomes very upset. The Porter’s scene, which happens in between, offers a humorous break from the serious and violent events.