How is farcical humour used in Blackadder?
(Target from last piece: consider your points and whether they are fully representative of the character)
“Blackadder” takes brief snapshots from arguably Britain’s darkest periods in history, in this series the First World War, and uses humour in adversity. Due to the distance from the event, the audience is able to witness the experience of the front line from a different, and arguably more human perspective. Extravagant, melodramatic characters such as Melchett act serve the dual purpose of being both humorous and serve to the greater effect of providing a (belated) scathing social commentary. Likewise, underneath both George’s seemingly indestructible patriotism and Baldrick’s brainlessness, the audience are presented with two soldiers who are heedless to the realities of the war. Moreover, Blackadder’s use of epigrammatic humour further illustrates the incompetence of the commanding class above him.
Lord Melchett is unintelligent, pompous and completely ignorant of the fact that the men are terrified of their impending deaths. When visiting the front line, Melchett patronisingly asks, as if addressing an “intelligent foreigner”, “Are-you-looking-forward-to-the-big-push?” He has no concept of soldiers' fear, and cannot understand why Blackadder and Baldrick are reluctant to fight (and presumably die) in a plan that is ridiculous to the point of being hyperbolic. Even asking if Baldrick is “looking forward” to going over the top is ridiculous, it appears that Melchett is completely detached from the reality of battle. His patronising tone shows his prejudice towards those of a lower social class than himself, who he cannot empathise with whatsoever. The fact he is in the trenches to raise morale accentuates this. However, there is a certain level of irony, as Melchett’s lexis uses public school slang and idioms to the point where he is barely understandable- moments earlier, he asks Baldrick about “the final chucker”. Elton and Curtis successfully create a parodic characterture of the military elite, who are incapable of understanding or comprehending the concept of modern trench warfare and who are separated culturally, socially and value-wise from the men they command. The audience is separated from Melchett in the same way Baldrick is, thus are likely to empathise with him. The juxtaposition of the question and Baldrick’s response (“No-sir-I’m-absolutely-terrified”) emphasises further Melchett’s ridiculousness. Baldrick’s response is tongue in check, as he appears to be disrespectful to a superior, though is justifiable as he only mirrors Melchett. Aside from the humour created, the audience are able to sympathise with Baldrick (and in turn, the soldiers generally) due to his poor treatment.
George is painfully enthusiastic and optimistic, often failing to see what is right in front of his eyes. He isn't stupid as such, at very least in comparison to Baldrick ( man who owns the bullet with his name on) but is certainly naïve. With a privileged but heavily sheltered upbringing, he has a limited grasp of the reality of war. Similar to Melchett, George’s speech is excessively filled with upper class colloquialisms. However, in this context, it emphasises George’s innocence, rather than portraying him as elitist, because of this the audience is able to identify with him more so. At the mention of “going over the top”, he is eager for the opportunity to give “Harry Hun a darn good British-style thrashing, six o’ the best, trousers down [?]”. His image of battle is clearly juvenile, as he has had no previous experience of war. Being of an ‘educated’ background, he would have been likely to ascend to and officer class upon enlisting. The repetition of the ‘H’ in “Harry Hun” has connotations of the highly stylised propaganda, which is likely to be his only knowledge of the enemy. This is proven through his love of “King and Country” (a military issue magazine), which was likely to be his, and most other men’s only source of regular ‘information’. Despite the farcical humour created by his over the top character, George’s character is symbolic of the ordinary men on the front lines. Like George, they had little information to go by; much of their ideas about war itself stemmed from 20th century propaganda and the glorification of battle for centuries previously. With the benefit of hindsight and almost dramatic irony, the audience feel sympathy for George, as his enthusiasm and patriotism are likely to be useless.
However in complete contrast to this, Blackadder harbours little faith in the war, and even less respect for his incompetent ‘superiors’. As arguably the most experienced character, his responses are epigrammatic, he feels clearly that the commanding class are redundant. After being requested to HQ, he explains to George about his “attractive new opportunity to have my brains blown out”.