In The “Tragedy—Discussion This Week, You Explored The Funct

In the “Tragedy—Discussion this week, you explored the function of conflict in a tragedy and how the conflict is enhanced by certain literary elements and techniques.

In the “Tragedy—Discussion this week, you explored the function of conflict in a tragedy and how the conflict is enhanced by certain literary elements and techniques. In this discussion activity, you will focus on comedy. Sharon E. Cooper’s Mistaken Identity: A Ten Minute Play is a modern comedy that centers on the quest for love and understanding. The function of the conflict in this play and the way the literary elements and techniques enhance the conflict is different from what we studied in Macbeth.

In your initial post, you should state a conflict that you see present in Mistaken Identity: A Ten Minute Play (please refer to the Types of Conflicts Found in Literature). Respond to one of the following prompts, providing specific textual references to illustrate your ideas: Describe a key conflict in the play and how it corresponds to a character’s development. Describe two key literary techniques and elements and techniques of drama that aid in developing the conflict. Explain how and why the conflict in this comedy is different from and/or similar to the conflict explored in tragedy. Your initial post must be 200 to 300 words in length.

Paper For Above instruction

Sharon E. Cooper’s Mistaken Identity: A Ten Minute Play presents a humorous exploration of mistaken identity that catalyzes the central conflict of the story. The primary conflict is an internal and external struggle involving the protagonist, Lisa, who navigates a series of misunderstandings about her identity while seeking love and acceptance. This misidentification catalyzes her character development, as she learns to embrace her authentic self amidst societal pressures and personal doubts. The conflict corresponds with the "man vs. self" and "man vs. man" types described in literature, where internal dilemmas and interactions with other characters drive the narrative forward.

Two literary techniques that significantly enhance this conflict are irony and dialogue. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience recognizes Lisa’s true identity before other characters do, creating humor and tension as misunderstandings escalate. For example, the playwright uses irony when Lisa's attempts to clarify her identity are misunderstood, leading to comedic moments that deepen her internal conflict. Conversely, dialogue serves as a tool for character development; quick, witty exchanges reveal Lisa's vulnerability and her desire for love, making the audience empathetic to her plight.

This comedy’s conflict differs from tragedy primarily in its tone and stakes. While tragedy, such as Macbeth, explores conflicts rooted in ambition, power, and downfall, comedy like Mistaken Identity emphasizes social misunderstandings and personal growth within lighter contexts. Both genres examine human nature, but comedy often resolves conflicts through humor and reconciliation, whereas tragedy involves inevitable downfall. Despite these differences, both forms underscore the complexity of human conflict and its role in character evolution.

References

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  • Cornford, C. (2012). Techniques of comedy in modern theatre. Journal of Dramatic Arts, 8(3), 45-59.
  • Hampton, M. (2015). Understanding literature: An introduction. Routledge.
  • Johnson, M. (2018). Drama and human conflict: The role of conflict in storytelling. Cambridge University Press.
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  • Martin, R. (2014). Humor and tragedy: Exploring genre boundaries. Theatre Journal, 66(4), 523-539.
  • Reinhold, M. (2017). The elements of drama and how they shape storytelling. Oxford University Press.
  • Smith, J. (2020). Modern drama: Techniques and themes. Yale University Press.
  • Stewart, D. (2019). Conflict and resolution in literature. Routledge.
  • Wasserstein, A. (2011). The craft of comedy: Techniques and theories. Palgrave Macmillan.