ABSTRACT
Comedy must be thought of as an art form: as a way of writing; or, since it is not confined to literature, a way of drawing, or dancing, and so forth. Comedy is one of the few art-forms that are defined by that kind of distinction. There are only two literary modes of thought: tragedy and comedy. There is an eclectic form of fiction, borrowing certain of the superficial or accidental features of tragedy and comedy, but containing none of the essence of either, and lacking both their pedigree and their philosophical justification: tragicomedy. The mechanistic view of literature is equally unfavourable to the survival of comedy; and it cannot be countered by a mere assertion of values. The survivals of early comedy are not so rich or comprehensive. The Athenians found that tragedy was inadequate to express their national life, and in the course of time they included a complementary art-form in their dramatic festivals.
