TIOBE AO4 notes
the type of the comedy text itself, whether it is classic romantic drama, a satire, a
comedy of manners
a satirical play
instant comedy so fast-paced and short
‘the well made play’
act 1 - exposition: introduces the main character and their characteristics,
background situations and dramatic relationships
act 2 - dramatic incitement: action which will prompt the main action of
the play (Algy first arriving in countryside and meeting Cecily first) and
the complication: usually the largest part of the play and will portray the
manner in which the characters react to the dramatic incitement -
situation becomes more complex creating more suspense
act 3 - crisis: moment where full implications must be faced; main
characters will either overcome/defeat/somewhere inbetween and
resolution: final section of the play, all loose ends tied up, success and
failures of characters assessed and future implications suggested
a trivial comedy for serious people
the settings for the comedy, both places and times
use of setting allows Wilde to comment on the excesses and idleness of the
upper classes through a sharply ironic tone
city vs country - city as a place of wealth and country as boring
for J he can be free in the city
for A he can be free in the country (bunburrying)
country brings important revelations but eventually all are rewarded after
conflict
the journey towards knowledge and happiness for the protagonists, often in relation
to their love interest, their mistakes and misunderstandings along their journey,
moments of unhappiness and ultimate sense of joy
don’t really learn from mistakes - just accept the truth and move on
TIOBE AO4 notes 1
the type of the comedy text itself, whether it is classic romantic drama, a satire, a
comedy of manners
a satirical play
instant comedy so fast-paced and short
‘the well made play’
act 1 - exposition: introduces the main character and their characteristics,
background situations and dramatic relationships
act 2 - dramatic incitement: action which will prompt the main action of
the play (Algy first arriving in countryside and meeting Cecily first) and
the complication: usually the largest part of the play and will portray the
manner in which the characters react to the dramatic incitement -
situation becomes more complex creating more suspense
act 3 - crisis: moment where full implications must be faced; main
characters will either overcome/defeat/somewhere inbetween and
resolution: final section of the play, all loose ends tied up, success and
failures of characters assessed and future implications suggested
a trivial comedy for serious people
the settings for the comedy, both places and times
use of setting allows Wilde to comment on the excesses and idleness of the
upper classes through a sharply ironic tone
city vs country - city as a place of wealth and country as boring
for J he can be free in the city
for A he can be free in the country (bunburrying)
country brings important revelations but eventually all are rewarded after
conflict
the journey towards knowledge and happiness for the protagonists, often in relation
to their love interest, their mistakes and misunderstandings along their journey,
moments of unhappiness and ultimate sense of joy
don’t really learn from mistakes - just accept the truth and move on
TIOBE AO4 notes 1
