comic relief

Comic relief is a literary or dramatic device used to lighten the mood, especially in a serious or tense work. It involves introducing a humorous element, such as a funny character, a witty remark, or a brief, lighthearted scene, to provide a break from emotional intensity. This interlude helps to ease tension for the audience and can make the more serious aspects of the narrative more impactful by contrast. While not a genre itself, comic relief is a technique employed across various forms of storytelling, including plays and films.12