C is for contrafibularity - Blackadder

C is for contrafibularity

The main theme of this video is comedy. It uses and plays with the language to make the audience laugh. The language used is formal, but some frozen register is also used throughout, as it was based in a late 18^th and 19^th century, so the language used would be very different from the language that we use today. The 2 main characters used in this scene are Prince George and Dr Johnson, the author of the English comprehensive dictionary. Both of these two characters have their own idiolect, dialect and sociolect. They both have very different dialects due to how they’ve been brought up, their social title and where they have been living. For example, Dr Johnson uses a wide range of low frequency lexis language such as, “the encyclopaedic implementation”. By this use of low frequency lexis, you can see his higher level of intelligence in opposition to King George that has obviously had a laid back life due to his riches, as you can see he hasn’t had much of an education or had to fend for himself.
Due to King George’s high frequency lexis language which is used in our everyday vocabulary, the contrast of language within the two characters creates a comical situation. You also notice that throughout the scene, no fillers are used. This shows the confidence between both of the characters and how they due to their high status, they feel comfortable around each other.