The Lovable Loser

COM 3407 Theories of Comedy Fall 2010

Welcome Back

• Quiz #6• My Funniest Moment• Burke – Comedy, Tragedy, Burlesque• The Lovable Loser

My Funniest Moment

• Description online• Due • 3 sections

– Background– Event– Analysis

• Why did you laugh?• At least 50% of the paper

Kenneth Burke

• Frames of Reference, Rituals• Tragedy

– Transgression, Mortification

• Comedy– Transgression, Forgiveness

• Burlesque– Constant Transgression, no Forgiveness

The Lovable Loser

• Provides conflict• Burlesque – no resolution• Beloved• Id• Characteristics

– Childish– Needy– Optimitic– Never Learns – “Consciously Oblivious”