Comedy Quote by Samuel Johnson
““His comedy pleases by the thoughts and the language, and his tragedy for the greater part by incident and action. His tragedy seems to be skill, his comedy to be instinct.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Spectator, 1760
Comedy arises from natural wit; tragedy relies on crafted skill and plot.
In simple terms: Comedy is instinctive; tragedy is deliberate.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the different sources of humor and drama.
Themes
art
literature
creativity
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
literary
critical
When to use this quote
- writing
- performance
- analysis
- teaching
Key Concepts
wit
structure
genre
craft
Questions to Reflect On
- How does instinct shape your humor?
- When does structure enhance tragedy?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasizing skill can stifle spontaneous humor.
