One example of a play that is often humorous but also has a serious purpose is "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde. This play uses witty dialogue and satire to criticize the social norms and values of Victorian society, while also providing entertainment through its humor.
pun
A scene that is meant to ease the tension in a serious play is called comic relief. It is a humorous interlude that is often used in tragic plays.
comic relief
A pun is a humorous play on words that exploits multiple meanings of a word or similar-sounding words to create a humorous or clever effect.
Tennis can be expensive, but it does not have to be. It depends on how serious a player you are and how often you play!
Cecily describes her Uncle Jack as very serious because he always portrays himself as a responsible and respectable figure in society. However, his seriousness and rigid demeanor are often contrasted with his secret double life and humorous escapades, creating a comedic effect in the play.
Comedy
-adjective 1. full of play or fun; sportive; frolicsome. 2. pleasantly humorous or jesting: a playful remark.
A short humorous play is called a farce. It typically involves exaggerated situations, physical comedy, and improbable plot twists to make the audience laugh.
A pun is a word play that exploits multiple meanings of words for an intentional humorous or rhetorical effect, A malapropism is the use of an incorrect word in place of a word with a similar sound. The result is nonsensical and often humorous. The difference between puns and malapropism is that a pun uses a correct expression that alludes to another expression that could also be correct, but is humorous. A malapropism uses an incorrect expression that alludes to another, often correct statement.
Shakespeare includes humorous scenes with the Nurse in "Romeo and Juliet" to provide comic relief amidst the tragedy and tension in the play. The Nurse's character adds depth and lightness to the story, offering a contrast to the more serious aspects of the plot. Her interactions with other characters also help to develop their personalities and relationships.
Humorous fiction typically features witty dialogue, absurd situations, and exaggerated characters to create a sense of amusement and entertainment for the reader. It often relies on irony, satire, wordplay, and exaggeration to evoke laughter and provide a light-hearted take on serious topics. The humor in these stories can range from subtle and dry to slapstick and over-the-top.