Final answer:
In a Comedy of Manners, conventional expectations are upended by satirizing societal norms, using characters of noble birth in absurd situations, and employing comedic devices like mistaken identities. The genre often challenges the societal value of concepts like respectability, as seen in works by Oscar Wilde.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comedy of Manners and the Upending of Conventional Expectations
The Comedy of Manners is a genre which cleverly subverts conventional expectations by satirizing the social mores and behaviors of the aristocracy or upper classes. Unlike other forms of comedy that might focus on slapstick or farcical situations, comedies of manners highlight the absurdities inherent in the social customs and attitudes of their time.
One key way in which these expectations are upended is through the characters themselves. In comedies of manners, you often find characters of noble birth behaving in ways that are at odds with their supposed status, thus poking fun at the idea of class-based behavior. These characters are often more concerned with maintaining appearances or engaging in social one-upmanship than with ethical considerations. Playwrights like Oscar Wilde are renowned for works that deploy wit and irony to turn societal expectations on their head.
Moreover, the narrative structure of a comedy of manners typically involves comedic devices such as misunderstandings, mistaken identities, and violations of social hierarchy, which all serve to challenge conventional societal norms. Through such devices, the audience is invited to laugh not only at the charmingly ridiculous plot complications but also at the reflection of their own society's follies and pretensions.
An example of this can be seen in Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, where the concept of 'earnestness' itself is challenged and made to seem ridiculous within the constraints of overly rigid social codes. The stature and appearance of respectability become the targets of humor, and the audience is left to question the value of such conventions.
Finally, the theatre as a medium serves to hold a mirror up to these conventions, using the comedy of manners to address topics that are controversial or taboo in more direct discourse, thereby allowing for a more critical examination of societal norms.