High comedy

High comedy is a term used to refer to a comedy that is marked by intelligence or sophistication. Such a comedy may include witty dialogue, satire, wordplay, psychologically realistic characterisation, intricate plotting, social commentary, or intellectual themes. A high comedy will typically feature characters from higher social classes. A naturalistic performance style can also be indicative of high comedy.

High comedy will be relatively subtle, and may reference things external to the text, requiring the audience to have a level of sophistication to discern the humorous elements. Those who enjoy high comedies are more likely to be more highly-educated, and more aware themselves of the distinction between high and low comedy. The less-educated may not recognise the subtleties in a work of high comedy.

The term is the opposite of low comedy, which may feature bawdiness, buffoonery or slapstick, performed in a broad style. There is no clear distinction between works of high and low comedy, and the terms can sometimes be used in a subjective manner. A single work may include elements characteristic of both high comedy and low comedy, and not strictly fit either category. A high comedy may incorporate low-comedy elements in an ironic or satirical manner, thereby demonstrating sophistication in the use of elements that are low-comedy. The presence of features of low comedy therefore does not necessarily preclude a work from being categorised as high comedy.

A work of high comedy may be regarded as highbrow, and an instance of high culture. However, those terms are primarily used to refer to works that are serious in nature. A comedy will aim to be amusing or entertaining even when it is sophisticated, so even a high comedy is less likely than a drama to be regarded as high culture.