--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Tragedy massages the human ego even as…" description: "\"Tragedy massages the human ego even as comedy deflates it. ... Tragedy pits us against large foes and the trip wire is our own character. ... In comedy..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc7/rita-mae-brown-1111_behavior_tragedy-massages-the-human-ego-even-as-c_897120.jpg" --- # Tragedy massages the human ego even as comedy deflates it… ![“Tragedy massages the human ego even as comedy deflates it. ... Tragedy pits us against large foes and the trip wire is our own character. ... In comedy we fall afoul of one another. Comedy depends on social life, on our behavior in groups. In tragedy you can observe one human against the gods. In…” quote by Rita Mae Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc7/rita-mae-brown-1111_behavior_tragedy-massages-the-human-ego-even-as-c_897120.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc7/rita-mae-brown-1111_behavior_tragedy-massages-the-human-ego-even-as-c_897120.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc7/rita-mae-brown-1111_behavior_tragedy-massages-the-human-ego-even-as-c_897120.jpg) > “Tragedy massages the human ego even as comedy deflates it. ... Tragedy pits us against large foes and the trip wire is our own character. ... In comedy we fall afoul of one another. Comedy depends on social life, on our behavior in groups. In tragedy you can observe one human against the gods. In comedy it's one human versus other humans and often one man (or woman if I'm writing it) against her own worst impulses.” [Rita Mae Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-mae-brown/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Tragedy elevates ego by confronting grand challenges, while comedy diminishes ego through social mishaps and personal flaws. **In simple terms:** Tragedy boosts self‑importance, comedy humbles it. Key Takeaway Recognize how different art forms reveal ego strengths and weaknesses. Themes ego conflict humor human nature Mood reflective insightful Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - public speaking - theatre - personal growth - team building - conflict resolution Key Concepts tragic heroism social dynamics self‑reflection Questions to Reflect On - How does your ego react to failure versus ridicule? - Can humor reveal hidden personal biases? A Different Perspective Comedy may oversimplify complex social issues, limiting deeper insight. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Ego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ego/) [Foe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foe/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Massage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/massage/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Social life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-life/) [Tragedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tragedy/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [every actor knows that tragedy, being linear and inevitable, is taxing - but comedy, which depends on the element of surprise, is the hardest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-morgan/every-actor-knows-that-tragedy-being-linear-and-inevitable-is-taxing/) [Robin Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-morgan/) > [I feel more comfortable in drama. 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