Final answer:
False. The main aim of a farce is not just verbal wit and humor; it's also characterized by slapstick comedy, exaggerated situations, and physical humor. Farces integrate a variety of comedic devices to entertain, such as misunderstandings and mistaken identities, and are designed to amuse audiences with fast-paced and ludicrous events.
Step-by-step explanation:
Is the Main Aim of a Farce Verbal Wit and Humor?
It is false to say that the main aim of a farce is solely verbal wit and humor. While farces do often feature sharp wit and humor, it’s also characterized by slapstick comedy, exaggerated situations, and physical humor. A farce mainly revolves around absurd and highly improbable events to entertain and amuse the audience. The classic Commedia dell'Arte introduced slapstick comedy, a form of physical comedy that became integral to farces, suggesting that physicality is just as important. Though verbal humor is certainly present, the emphasis in farce is often on the fast-paced, ludicrous situations and misunderstandings that lead to laughter. Notable examples of farce include Michael Frayn's Noises Off! and Oscar Wilde's Comedy of Manners, which rely on elements like mistaken identities, coincidences, and over-the-top characters to create comedy.
Comedies often use a combination of verbal wit and other comedic devices such as misunderstandings, violations of social hierarchy, and extreme physicality to entertain their audience. With these elements combined, comedies like farces ensure that hilarity ensues from one moment to the next, with an underlying message sometimes delivered through satire. This intricate interplay of comedic elements illustrates that the essence of farce is not limited to verbal wit alone but is rather a blend of the verbal and the physical, the intellectual and the visceral, ultimately designed to engage and entertain an audience.