Classwork Series and Exercise {Literature – SS1}: Forms of Literature

Forms of Literature

Contents:

1. Forms of Literature
2. Meaning of tragedy
3. Characteristics of tragedy
4. Meaning of comedy
5. Characteristics of comedy

The forms of literature are classified into two:

1. Tragedy
2. Comedy.

Tragedy

It has an elevated diction and action, but with an unhappy ending. It begins in a good note, but ends on a very sad note. The disaster is usually targeted at the hero. Sometimes, his down fall is attributed to his inability to control his weakness (tragic flaw)

Characteristics of Tragedy

1. The writer makes efforts to arouse his reader’s curiosity.
2. There is the presence of irony which could be verbal or dramatic
3. There is conflict as a result of struggle between the opposing forces.
4. Sometimes, comic relief is seen to reduce tension.

Comedy

It is a light amusing work, which is funny and ends on a happy note. It is a form of entertainment. Types of Comedy:

1. Comedy of manners
2. Black comedy
3. Comedy of absurd
4. Situational comedy.

Note: A comedian is a male entertainer who makes people laugh by cracking jokes or telling funny stories, while a comedienne refers to the female counterpart.

 Characteristics of Comedy

1. It must consist of humors.
2. There is always an atmosphere of laughter
3. There is an element of ignorant on the part of the hero which must cause his downfall.
4. There is always a ridiculous and unusual character.

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