Comedy Quote by Martin Amis
““As regards structure, comedy has come a long way since Shakespeare, who in his festive conclusions could pair off any old shit and any old fudge-brained slag (see Claudio and Hero in Much Ado) and get away with it. But the final kiss no longer symbolizes anything and well-oiled nuptials have ceased to be a plausible image of desire. That kiss is now the beginning of the comic action, not the end that promises another beginning from which the audience is prepared to exclude itself. All right? We have got into the habit of going further and further beyond the happy-ever-more promise: relationships in decay, aftermaths, but with everyone being told a thing or two about themselves, busy learning from their mistakes. So, in the following phase, with the obstructive elements out of the way (DeForest, Gloria) and the consummation in sight, the comic action would have been due to end, happily. But who is going to believe that any more?””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Money by Martin Amis, 1984
Modern comedy shifts the kiss from a climax to a catalyst, reflecting deeper, often bleak, explorations of desire and decay.
In simple terms: Comedy now starts with the kiss, not ends it.
Key Takeaway
Recognize changing narrative structures.
Themes
comedy
modernism
desire
decay
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- film analysis
- scriptwriting
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
narrative theory
post‑modernism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this shift affect audience expectations?
- What does it reveal about contemporary attitudes toward love?
A Different Perspective
Some may miss the loss of romantic idealism.
