Final answer:
A protagonist who is alienated from society can be found in both tragedy and comedy. The genre depends on how the alienation is presented and the overall tone of the narrative.
Step-by-step explanation:
A protagonist who is alienated from society can be found in both tragedy and comedy. In a tragedy, the alienation might be due to the protagonist's tragic flaw, leading to their downfall and often resulting in their isolation from society. An example of this can be seen in Shakespeare's play, Macbeth, where the protagonist's ambition leads him to commit heinous acts, causing him to become alienated from those around him. On the other hand, in a comedy, the alienation can be used for humorous effect, with the protagonist finding themselves in awkward or funny situations due to their social isolation. One example of this is the character of Miss Havisham in Charles Dickens' novel, Great Expectations, who is isolated from society due to her bitterness and eccentricity. Her alienation leads to humorous and ironic situations in the story. Therefore, the genre of the story, whether tragedy or comedy, depends on how the alienation of the protagonist is presented and the overall tone of the narrative.