Comic Elements in the Drama "Cripple of Inishmaan" by Martin McDonagh

Seminar paper from the year 2010 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2,7, University of Tubingen, course: Irish Drama, language: English, abstract: The purpose of this paper is to analyze various comedic elements and their function in the drama "Cripple of Inishmaan". First, there will be a closer look on the author Martin McDonagh, who is known for his individual style and also for other comedies, like "Behanding in Spokane" of "The Pillowman". Later, it will be focused on the play itself; what is the plot, which role play setting and characters. It will be also discussed, how the "Cripple of Inishmaan" fulfills the aspects of an Irish national drama. But the main question to analyze is, if the play can be considered as a dark comedy. For this purpose, the term "comedy" will be defined and it will be analyzed how the terminology of Frye and the three theories of humour can be applied to the the play "Cripple of Inishmaan". It is to show that the drama fulfills the elements of a comedy. In the main part there will be a closer look on the drama itself; especially on the funny characters and their behaviour.