The comic techniques of George Coleman the elder

Author

Paul Stanley Varner

Date of Award

8-1981

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

English

Major Professor

Percy G Adams

Abstract

George Colman's original comedies display competence and variety while being with few exceptions thoroughly laughable. Roman New Comedy has been the primary influence on English comic drama, but Moliere and the Italian commedia dell'arte have been important influences also. Colman knew this comic tradition very well, and thus he deliberately uses traditional materials effectively. His first play, Polly Honeyaombe, begins a consistent use of satire in the tradition of Samuel Foote which appears throughout his career. Moreover, the short play is thoroughly typical of farce of the period except that it ends cynically instead of happily. For most of his career Colman wrote comic shorts in a variety of genres such as farce, burletta, and theatrical satire. While of no major consequence individually, these plays use most of the comic techniques seen in the major works. Some, such as The Deuce Is in Him and The Musical Lady, reveal very effective, humorous use of deception plots. Naturally, The Jealous Wife deserves the most extended treatment as Colman's best play. Much of the laughter derives from the secondary characters, but Harriot, instead of being a typical sentimental heroine as some say, proves active, strong-willed, and aggressive. Additionally, she provides much laughter as she moves from one comic predicament to another. Colman's next major original comedy. The Man of Business, probably deserves the neglect critics have had for it. But his last two major original comedies. The Suicide and The Separate Maintenance, indicate that his creative powers did not decline as most critics have thought. Because the two comedies were never published, few have read them. They were, however, popular in their day and deservedly so because they provide much laughter. The Suicide in particular proves to be worthy of the same merit usually attributed to Polly Honeycombe and The Jealous Wife. Throughout his career Colman displays sympathy for middle-class values and scorn for false taste in theatrical affairs. His comic and satiric vision remains consistent from his first play to his last.

Recommended Citation

Varner, Paul Stanley, "The comic techniques of George Coleman the elder. " PhD diss., University of Tennessee, 1981.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/13544