Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/9-1-4-comedy [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA GCSE The Tempest](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest.md) › Comedy # Comedy English Lit: AQA GCSE The Tempest, topic 9.1.4 ## Disruption of the Natural Order The natural order is overturned in _The Tempest_. Every class is shipwrecked together, and comedic chaos follows. ### Not quite a comedy ![Not quite a comedy](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/d599e28d-9fdd-44c2-92a2-0b1e2cf75648/Tradgedy-Comedy-Drama-Masks-Funny-Crying.jpg) - According to Aristotle, the quality that provokes laughter is a certain __‘ugliness,’__ a __‘defect’__ or __‘deformity’__. - Shakespeare’s _The Tempest_ is not categorically a comedy because there are a number of serious events that are actually dangerous and could be perilous to the characters on stage. - For this reason, _The Tempest_ fits more into a tragicomedy status. This genre of play was new to the Jacobean era. ### Shipwrecked together ![Shipwrecked together](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/40c0286d-3bb6-4eb9-8ec9-9f2395f036db/shutterstock_71908213.jpg) - It is interesting that the King and noblemen were washed up on the shore of this island alongside butler and jester. This implies that the natural order has been disturbed. - It is the similarities between the classes that cause the greatest comedy in this play. - Straight after the scene in which Antonio and Sebastian plot to kill the King (Act 2, Scene 1), we see something similar happen in Act 2, Scene 2. Caliban entertains a plot to kill Prospero with Stephano and Trinculo. ### Effect of alcohol ![Effect of alcohol](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/chemistry/7.2.2%20Alcohols%20and%20Carboxylic%20acids/alcohol%20-%20Edited-min.jpg) - Act 3, Scene 2 opens with alcohol. Stephano and Trinculo repeatedly encourage the native, Caliban, to __'drink.'__ - This results in Caliban begging to __'lick thy [Stephano’s] shoe'__ as he tries to serve somebody who will overthrow the tyrannical Prospero. - Trinculo’s mocking of Caliban, calling him a __'deboshed fish'__ and __'half a fish and half a monster'__, results in Caliban becoming a victim. He whines to Stephano: __'Lo, how he mocks me!'__ ## Upper Classes While most of the comedy in _The Tempest_ come from the lower class characters, there are some moments of comedy from the more refined characters - such as Miranda and Prospero. ### Miranda's wit ![Miranda's wit](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/f975d557-9586-4d4b-8e38-b7de3e2a8653/Jester-Harlequin-Comedy-Comedian.jpg) - The lower classes aren't the only ones who create humour. - In Act 1, Scene 2, Miranda shows wit: __'Your tale sir, would cure deafness.'__ - This is funny because her father is lecturing her and asks her if she's listening - her response if witty because she's essentially saying, of course, I can hear you, even a deaf person could hear you. ### Miranda's confusion ![Miranda's confusion](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/biology/6.3.1%20The%20theory%20of%20evolution/question-mark-2123967_640%20-%20Edited-min%20(1).jpg) - When Miranda is told that __'Thy father was the Duke of Milan and/ A prince of power,'__ she replies, __'Sir, are you not my father?__' - Miranda is clearly not following the story, even though she's been told repeatedly to listen carefully. Perhaps she is confused by her father's tale. - Either way, this reply is a painful reminder to Prospero of his fall from grace. Miranda has no recollection of him being such a __'Prince of Power.'__ ### Comedy and class distinctions ![Comedy and class distinctions](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/2e93c0a8-c239-44c0-b298-49d6f6d36d4f/shutterstock_249572506.jpg) - Class distinctions are highlighted through comedy. - Miranda and Prospero are witty, but it is a different kind of comedy to that of Caliban, Trinculo and Stephano. - Their comedy is more intelligent, rather than physical and silly. ## Test yourself on Comedy - What does Caliban say he'll do to Stephano's shoe? - How does *The Tempest* show a difference between the comedy of the upper-class and lower-class characters? - Why is Miranda's remark _'Your tale, sir, would cure deafness'_ witty? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/3fdd21aa-11f2-4661-a082-f45ce382ab88/section/17e93092-13b8-4a21-8d92-85175b7b469f/session) - Previous topic: [9.1.3 Status, Race & Pronouns](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/9-1-3-status-race-and-pronouns.md) - Next topic: [9.1.5 Freedom & Servitude](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/9-1-5-freedom-and-servitude.md) ## English Lit: AQA GCSE The Tempest contents ### 1 Key Words - 1.1 Key Words - [1.1.1 Key Words 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/1-1-1-key-words-1.md) - [1.1.2 Key Words 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/1-1-2-key-words-2.md) - [1.1.3 Key Words 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/1-1-3-key-words-3.md) - [1.1.4 Key Words 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/1-1-4-key-words-4.md) ### 2 Context & Overview - 2.1 Context & Overview - [2.1.1 Overview](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/2-1-1-overview.md) - [2.1.2 Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/2-1-2-context.md) ### 3 Act 1 - 3.1 Act 1 Analysis - [3.1.1 Overview](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/3-1-1-overview.md) - [3.1.2 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/3-1-2-scene-1.md) - [3.1.3 Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/3-1-3-scene-2.md) ### 4 Act 2 - 4.1 Act 2 Analysis - [4.1.1 Overview](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/4-1-1-overview.md) - [4.1.2 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/4-1-2-scene-1.md) - [4.1.3 Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/4-1-3-scene-2.md) ### 5 Act 3 - 5.1 Act 3 Analysis - [5.1.1 Overview](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/5-1-1-overview.md) - [5.1.2 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/5-1-2-scene-1.md) - [5.1.3 Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/5-1-3-scene-2.md) - [5.1.4 Scene 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/5-1-4-scene-3.md) ### 6 Act 4 - 6.1 Act 4 Analysis - [6.1.1 Overview](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/6-1-1-overview.md) - [6.1.2 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/6-1-2-scene-1.md) ### 7 Act 5 - 7.1 Act 5 Analysis - [7.1.1 Overview](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/7-1-1-overview.md) - [7.1.2 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/7-1-2-scene-1.md) - [7.1.3 The Epilogue](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/7-1-3-the-epilogue.md) ### 8 Key Characters - 8.1 Major Characters - [8.1.1 Prospero](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/8-1-1-prospero.md) - [8.1.2 Miranda](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/8-1-2-miranda.md) - [8.1.3 Caliban](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/8-1-3-caliban.md) - [8.1.4 Ariel](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/8-1-4-ariel.md) - [8.1.5 Ferdinand](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/8-1-5-ferdinand.md) - [8.1.6 Alonso](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/8-1-6-alonso.md) - 8.2 Minor Characters - [8.2.1 Antonio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/8-2-1-antonio.md) - [8.2.2 Stephano](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/8-2-2-stephano.md) - [8.2.3 Sebastian](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/8-2-3-sebastian.md) - [8.2.4 Gonzalo](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/8-2-4-gonzalo.md) - [8.2.5 Trinculo](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/8-2-5-trinculo.md) ### 9 Themes - 9.1 Major Themes - [9.1.1 Power](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/9-1-1-power.md) - [9.1.2 Magic](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/9-1-2-magic.md) - [9.1.3 Status, Race & Pronouns](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/9-1-3-status-race-and-pronouns.md) - [9.1.4 Comedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/9-1-4-comedy.md) - [9.1.5 Freedom & Servitude](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/9-1-5-freedom-and-servitude.md) - [9.1.6 Revenge & Reconciliation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/9-1-6-revenge-and-reconciliation.md) ### 10 Authorial Method - 10.1 Authorial Method - [10.1.1 Genre & Time](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/10-1-1-genre-and-time.md) - [10.1.2 Music & Illusion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/10-1-2-music-and-illusion.md) ### 11 Recap: Main Quotes - 11.1 Characters Quotes - [11.1.1 Prospero - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-1-1-prospero-quotes.md) - [11.1.2 Miranda - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-1-2-miranda-quotes.md) - [11.1.3 Caliban - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-1-3-caliban-quotes.md) - [11.1.4 Ariel - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-1-4-ariel-quotes.md) - [11.1.5 Ferdinand - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-1-5-ferdinand-quotes.md) - [11.1.6 Alonso - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-1-6-alonso-quotes.md) - [11.1.7 Antonio - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-1-7-antonio-quotes.md) - [11.1.8 Stephano - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-1-8-stephano-quotes.md) - [11.1.9 Sebastian - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-1-9-sebastian-quotes.md) - [11.1.10 Gonzalo - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-1-10-gonzalo-quotes.md) - [11.1.11 Trinculo - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-1-11-trinculo-quotes.md) - 11.2 Text Structure - Quotes - [11.2.1 Power - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-2-1-power-quotes.md) - [11.2.2 Magic - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-2-2-magic-quotes.md) - [11.2.3 Race & Pronouns - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-2-3-race-and-pronouns-quotes.md) - [11.2.4 Comedy - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-2-4-comedy-quotes.md) - [11.2.5 Servitude - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-2-5-servitude-quotes.md) - [11.2.6 Reconciliation & Revenge - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-2-6-reconciliation-and-revenge-quotes.md)