Using Comedy To Explore Social Issues

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An 8 page essay that discusses Alan Ayckbourn’s Comic Potential and Martin McDonagh’s The Lieutenant of Inishmore share a common feature. In each instance, the playwright uses comedy in order to make some serious observations about human nature and the way in which people relate to one another. Characterizations, dialogue, plot structure and props, every element of stage craft is combined in these plays in ways that are quite funny, as well as tragic, which results in their respective audiences being forced to ponder the absurd nature of aspects of contemporary society. Examination of these plays demonstrates the manner I which these gifted playwrights create these similarities in these two very different plays. No additional sources cited.