Burlesque
Burlesque is a comic style that works in one of two ways: high burlesque or low burlesque. In high burlesque, something lowly and ridiculous is elevated. In low burlesque, something lofty and important is trivialized. Burlesque is humorous because of the difference between the content and the form (the style and the substance).
Pygmalion example: In act 2 the style of high burlesque is used when Eliza is forced to take a bath by Mrs. Pearce. In the scene, Eliza is completely distraught over having to take her clothes off and take bath. It gets to the point where Mrs. Pearce has to physically throw Eliza into the bath and scrub her down while she is screaming. To the audience, taking a bath or showering is an everyday occurrence and definitely not something to get upset over. Therefore the scene is heightened, ridiculous, and ultimately comical to us. |