This document defines and provides examples of an epithet, farce, and pun. An epithet is a descriptive word or phrase used to characterize a person or thing, often used by poets to lengthen lines. Farce uses exaggerated situations and behaviors for comedy rather than character development, exemplified by plays like The Importance of Being Earnest. A pun is a play on words that exploits different meanings of the same word or similar sounding words, like those used frequently by the character Mr. Freeze in Batman and Robin.

1. EPITHET
Word or phrase applied to a person or thing to
describe a characteristic (“Alexander the Great”)

2. EPITHET
• Often precedes or follows what/whom it describes
• Allows poets to extend a line by a few syllables
Examples from Homer:
• “rosy-fingered dawn”
• “gray-eyed Athena”
• “swift-footed Achilles”

3. FARCE
Comedy that aims to entertain by means of extravagant,
improbable situations.

4. FARCE
• Focuses more on development of situation than character
• Actors exhibit exaggerated speech and movement

5. FARCE
Examples:
The Importance of Being Earnest by
Oscar Wilde
Taming of the Shrew by William
Shakespeare

6. PUN
Humorous use of a
word in a way that
suggests two of its
meanings or the
meaning of another
similar-sounding word

7. PUN
Mr. Freeze from Batman and Robin has many…many puns.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRH-Ywpz1_I