tragicomic
Tragicomic, or tragicomedy, denotes a narrative mode that blends elements of tragedy and comedy. A tragicomic work typically treats serious subjects—loss, injustice, mortality—with humor, irony, or absurdity, producing a complex emotional effect that resists straightforward classification. The term highlights a balance between pathos and levity rather than a simple alternation of sorrow and laughter.
Origins and usage: The noun form tragicomedy emerged in early modern European theater as a classification for
Characteristics and devices: Common features include tonal oscillation, irony, and situations in which characters confront fate,
Examples and influence: Notable tragicomic works span theatre and literature, such as Shakespeare’s late plays The