How did Renaissance critics describe comedy as a way of mocking human folly?

During the Renaissance, critics viewed comedy as a vital moral tool that utilized derision to expose and correct human folly. By elaborating on Aristotle’s Poetics, scholars and writers argued that comedy served as an "adjunct to morality," teaching audiences by mocking what is vile or incongruous.1

Key perspectives from the era include:

• Derisive Force: Italian scholar Gian Giorgio Trissino posited that laughter is triggered by objects that are ugly or fall short of expected qualities. He suggested that such laughter reflects the fallen nature of humanity, serving to "laugh folly out of countenance".1
• Scornful Imitation: In The Defence of Poesie, Sir Philip Sidney defined comedy as an imitation of "common errors" presented in a "ridiculous and scornful sort." He believed this approach made it impossible for the audience to identify with or desire to emulate such foolish behavior.1
• Didactic Purpose: Ben Jonson emphasized that comedy should act as a "glass of custom," reflecting life as it is so that society might recognize its shortcomings and improve. His "comedy of humours" depicted characters driven by singular, overriding traits, illustrating how such imbalances lead to personal and social discomfiture.23