Final answer:
In dramatic literature, a comedy could include satirical elements, using devices like misunderstandings and violations of social hierarchy to mock societal norms. While inducing laughter, it may also critique aspects of life, conclude with a happy ending, and is not limited to light-hearted humor.
Step-by-step explanation:
Unlike the meaning that is associated with the word comedy today, a comedy in drama could be not only playful but also involve satirical or mocking elements that criticize certain aspects of society or human behavior. Classical comedies, such as those written by Aristophanes, often had characters embroiled in farcical situations that highlighted their follies or social conventions. Therefore, while modern audiences might expect comedy to be purely lighthearted and humorous, in the dramatic context, it could also point out the absurdities of life, often in a witty, clever, and sometimes bawdy manner, as seen in plays like William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
In classical and Shakespearean drama, common comedic elements included misunderstandings, violations of social hierarchy, and mistaken identities. These comedic devices ensured that while the play might offer a critique of society or present characters in less than dignified circumstances, the overall mood remained one of entertainment, with situations unlikely to ever be tragic or life-threatening. Such plays typically conclude with a resolution that restores social order, often symbolized by a marriage or reconciliation among characters.