This new edition of Andrew Stott's Comedy builds on themes presented in the first edition such as focusing on the significance of comic 'events' through study of various theoretical methodologies, including deconstruction, psychoanalysis and gender theory, and provides case studies of a number of themes, ranging from the drag act to the simplicity of slipping on a banana skin. This new edition features: updates to reflect new research the field new chapters on Women in Comedy and Race and Ethnicity a broader range of literary and cultural examples. Written in a clear and accessible style, this book is ideal introduction to comedy for students studying literature and culture.