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Comedy Quote by George Bernard Shaw

“Unless comedy touches me as well as amuses me, it leaves me with a sense of having wasted my evening. I go to the theatre to be moved to laughter, not to be tickled or bustled into it.” quote by George Bernard Shaw
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“Unless comedy touches me as well as amuses me, it leaves me with a sense of having wasted my evening. I go to the theatre to be moved to laughter, not to be tickled or bustled into it.”

George Bernard Shaw

About This Quote

Source Play: Arms and the Man, 1894

Comedy must both amuse and move emotionally; otherwise it feels like wasted time.

In simple terms: Comedy should both entertain and touch feelings.

Key Takeaway

Seek humor that resonates emotionally.

Themes

humor emotion artistic expectations

Mood

thoughtful reflective

Type

critical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • theatre attendance
  • stand‑up shows
  • film comedy
  • personal entertainment choices

Key Concepts

aesthetic theory emotional resonance

Questions to Reflect On

  • What makes a joke both funny and moving?
  • Do you prefer laughter that provokes thought?
A Different Perspective

If humor only amuses, it may lack depth or relevance.

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