Final answer:
The comic characters in Beijing Opera are identified by their elaborate costumes, which include exaggerated garments and distinctive make-up.
Step-by-step explanation:
The comic characters of the Beijing Opera are most easily identified by their elaborate costumes. In traditional Chinese theater, costumes play a crucial role in indicating the role, status, and character type of the performers. One of the elements that make Beijing Opera distinctive is the colorful and elaborate attire, which helps to set apart various character types, like the Sheng (male roles), the Dan (female roles), the Jing (painted faces), and the Chou (comic characters).
The Chou, or comic characters, are often distinguished by distinctive costumes that include exaggerated garments and make-up, which includes a small white patch on their nose, signaling their role as the jester or comic figure in the performance. This is a tradition that dates back to ancient theatrical practices, where costumes and makeup were essential in representing different characters within a play, often more so than scenery or lighting, which were minimal or non-existent. These costumes serve not only to indicate a character's role but also provide the primary visual spectacle for audiences.