Comedy is a genre of literature, film, and other forms of art that aims to entertain and amuse audiences through humor. It often involves the use of exaggeration, absurdity, and wit, and can include various elements such as satire, parody, and farce. The primary goal of comedy is to provoke laughter, often by depicting characters or situations that are humorous or ridiculous.
Traditionally, comedy contrasts with tragedy, focusing on light-hearted themes and happy endings. It can explore social issues, relationships, and human behavior in a way that highlights their absurdity or folly. Comedic techniques include wordplay, physical humor, and situational irony.
In addition to performance arts, the term can also refer to comedic writing, such as stand-up routines, comic strips, and humorous essays. Comedy plays a significant role in culture and society by providing entertainment, facilitating social commentary, and enabling audiences to confront serious topics through laughter.