Comic Elements in the Drama "Cripple of Inishmaan" by Martin McDonagh

Term Paper (Advanced seminar) , 2010 , 20 Pages , Grade: 2,7

English Language and Literature Studies - Literature

The purpose of this paper is to analyze various comedic elements and their function in the
drama “Cripple of Inishmaan”. First, there will be a closer look on the author Martin
McDonagh, who is known for his individual style and also for other comedies, like
“Behanding in Spokane” of “The Pillowman”. Later, it will be focused on the play itself;
what is the plot, which role play setting and characters. It will be also discussed, how the
“Cripple of Inishmaan” fulfills the aspects of an Irish national drama. But the main question
to analyze is, if the play can be considered as a dark comedy. For this purpose, the term
“comedy” will be defined and it will be analyzed how the terminology of Frye and the three
theories of humour can be applied to the the play ”Cripple of Inishmaan”. It is to show that
the drama fulfills the elements of a comedy. In the main part there will be a closer look on the
drama itself; especially on the funny characters and their behaviour.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• About the author
• About the play
  • Plot
  • Reference to "Men of Aran"
• What is comedy?
  • Humour Theories - Incongruity, Superiority and Release/Relief Theory
  • Ethnic Humour
  • Structure of a comedy
  • Stock characters
• Humour in the Cripple of Inishmaan
  • characters
    • Johnnypateenmike
    • Mammy
    • Kate and Eileen
    • Bartley
    • Helen
    • Billy
  • Style
    • Language
    • Repetitions
• The cripple of Inishmaan an Irish national drama?
• Conclusion

Objectives and Key Themes

This paper analyzes the comedic elements in Martin McDonagh's play “The Cripple of Inishmaan” and their function in the drama. The paper examines the author's background and style, explores the play's plot and setting, and discusses how the play aligns with the concept of Irish national drama. It also investigates whether the play can be considered a dark comedy, defining comedy and analyzing its elements in the play. The primary focus is on the comedic characters and their behavior.

• The use of comedic elements in Martin McDonagh’s play “The Cripple of Inishmaan”
• The relationship between the author and Ireland
• The elements of Irish national drama in “The Cripple of Inishmaan”
• The definition and application of comedy theory to “The Cripple of Inishmaan”
• The analysis of comedic characters and their behavior in “The Cripple of Inishmaan”

Chapter Summaries

The introduction provides background information on the development of Irish national drama and introduces McDonagh's play “The Cripple of Inishmaan.” It outlines the purpose and structure of the paper, focusing on the analysis of comedic elements. The chapter “About the author” explores McDonagh's background and his relationship to Ireland. It also discusses his other works and his views on film and theater. The chapter “About the play” presents the plot of “The Cripple of Inishmaan,” which focuses on a young man with a physical disability living on the Aran Island of Inishmaan. The plot also includes references to the fictional documentary “Men of Aran” by Robert Flaherty.

Keywords

This paper explores the use of comedic elements in Martin McDonagh's “The Cripple of Inishmaan,” analyzing the play's plot, characters, and style. Key topics include Irish national drama, humor theories, dark comedy, and the examination of specific comedic characters and their behavior.

• College: University of Tubingen
• Course: Irish Drama
• Grade: 2,7
• Author: Maren Tanner (Author)
• Publication Year: 2010
• Pages: 20
• Catalog Number: V231030
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656474296
• ISBN (Book): 9783656474326
• Language: English
• Tags: comic, cripple, inishmaan, martin, mcdonagh