The office of drama is to exercise, possibly to exhaust…
“The office of drama is to exercise, possibly to exhaust, human emotions. The purpose of comedy is to tickle those emotions into an expression of light relief; of tragedy, to wound them and bring the relief of tears. Disgust and terror are the other points of the compass.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Drama aims to provoke strong emotions; comedy eases them, tragedy deepens them, while disgust and terror complete the emotional range.
In simple terms: Drama triggers emotions; comedy soothes; tragedy intensifies; disgust and terror round out feelings.
Key Takeaway
Use the appropriate genre to shape audience response.
Themes
emotion
genre
audience
expression
balance
Mood
reflective
analytical
creative
Type
theoretical
practical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- theater productions
- film scripts
- writing workshops
- public speaking
- marketing campaigns
Key Concepts
psychology
narrative theory
emotional catharsis
Questions to Reflect On
- How does each genre affect your emotional state?
- When should you employ disgust or terror for impact?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on any one emotion can alienate audiences.