In comedy, there's one central rule: Never punch down. "Punching down" is a metaphor, but think about what that means in real life. If you're punching down at some opponent, that automatically implies that they aren't as tall as you are, or that you're in a more advantageous position than they are, so...why are you punching them? This section explains what this concept means and how it works and flows into a discussion of satire.
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There's a reason repressive dictatorships usually take aim at comedians first. Under some repressive regimes, it's literally been illegal to make fun of the head of state or their actions or the actions of their supporters. In really repressive regimes, making fun of the person in charge can get you the death penalty.
Why? Well, in a nutshell, comedy not only mocks the powerful. It does something worse: it brings them down to human size. How the Comedy Pyramid Works
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Topic 1: Achieving Justice
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Topic 2: Speaking Uncomfortable Truths
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Lecture Points
Speaking truth to power is one of the major functions of comedy, but so is just plain speaking truth, especially truths that are difficult, painful, shameful, embarrassing, impolite, inappropriate, or just plain awkward to deal with straightforwardly. Bodily functions, sexuality, violence, class inequity, dirt, death, and other taboo topics are often fodder for comedy for a number of reasons, not the least of which being that comedy is a "safe" place to express them. (After all, you were only kidding. Right?)
Comedy can literally act to release uncomfortable tensions involved in addressing topics society deems to be taboo, and in doing so, make those subjects somewhat less daunting and undefined. |
Directions
Questions
1. [Same as questions above in the Achieving Justice section]
Readings
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