Dark Humor and Satirical Comedy in "Divine

¶ … Dark Humor and Satirical Comedy in "Divine Comedy" by Dante and "King Lear" by William Shakespeare One of the most important functions that literature play in human society is that it does not only expresses and individual's (particularly the author's) thoughts about and interpretation of life, but it also reflects the state of society that the author lives in.

Indeed, the function of literature as a reflection of the human society is illustrated in the works of Dante Alighieri and William Shakespeare, renowned authors of "Divine Comedy" and "King Lear," respectively. In these literary works, a notable characteristic is the authors' ability to weave in the aspect of dark humor, aptly using satirical comedy in order to criticize the rulers and leaders of their societies during their time. Dante Alighieri wrote the "Divine Comedy" during the Italian Renaissance period from 12th-13th centuries.

During this period, art as a form of criticism and protest about the ills, inefficiencies, and anomalies in the society and government are rampant. Dante's work served as revelation to the people to witness the anomalies going on in their society. Shakespeare, similarly, utilizes literature to mirror corruption and usurpation in the English political institutions. In "King Lear," Shakespeare uses character profiles that fit the description of the antagonists and protagonists in political conflicts that are happening in Shakespeare's society.

The theme of satirical comedy as a form of criticism and protest against the inefficiencies of government and society, as well as the ills of man, are discussed in the works of Dante and Shakespeare in the cited literary works of each. In Dante's "Divine Comedy," the author focuses on the lives of his fellowmen inside his society and the government. Satirical comedy is used to criticize elements in the society that bring forth inefficiencies in people's lives.

Of particular interest is the first part of Dante's work, the section "Inferno" chronicles the "sins" of humankind, and the appropriate punishment that these people will get when they are in Hell, or "inferno." In Inferno/Hell, Dante is accompanied by Virgil as they go through the inner circles, called bolgia, where different offenders of the sins of humankind are suffering and are being punished for their sins.

There are nine bolgias inside, where the first circle is the limbo, described as a place where people experience "gentle sadness." Inside the bolgias are people suffering from the sins of humankind: lust, gluttony, the avaricious and prodigal, sullen, heretics, violent people against the tyrants, gods, or goods, fraudulent people in love, flatterers, simonists, diviners, barrators, hypocrites, thieves, fraudulent counselors, sowers of scandals and schism, falsifiers, rebels, and traitors against kin, homeland, guests, and benefactors.

An example of satirical comedy in Dante's work is illustrated in the eighth bolgia, or Canto XXXIII, where Dante shows how humankind's sinfulness is already "paid for" in Inferno even if the person is still living: This thou shouldst know, if thou hast just come down; It is Ser Branca d' Oria, and many years Have passed away since he was thus locked up." think," said I to him, "thou dost deceive me; For Branca d' Oria is not dead as yet, And eats, and drinks, and sleeps, and puts on clothes." For with the vilest spirit of Romagna I found of you one such, who for his deeds In soul already in Cocytus bathes, And still above in body seems alive! In "King Lear," Shakespeare uses the character of the Fool to provide a humorous yet, serious depiction of King Lear as the leader who had been deceived and unwisely made a decision to trust people who evil designs against him.

In addition to being the "conscience" of King Lear, the Fool acts as the narrator and judge of the audience on King Lear's character. In Act II of the play, the Fool and King Lear exchange roles as the king plunges into insanity as his own daughters banished him. As King Lear loses hope and sanity, the Fool berates King Lear about his mistakes and wrong decisions and judgments in life: We'll set thee to school to an ant, to teach thee there's no labouring i' the winter.

All that follow their noses are led by their eyes but blind men; and.