The Visit: genre

Genre Elements of ‘The Visit’

Tragicomedy

‘The Visit’ by Friedrich Dürrenmatt is a classic example of tragicomedy. It blends elements of tragedy and comedy in equal measure through the absurdity of the situations presented and the tragic consequences resulting from them.
The protagonist Claire Zachanassian’s vengefulness and the town’s desperate greed transforms an initial comedy of manners into a tragedy, providing a satirical commentary on human nature and societal mores.

Satire

The play satirises the human propensity for corruption when faced with financial desperation. It consistently employs irony and sarcasm in character interactions to highlight the flawed moral compass of the town’s citizens.
‘The Visit’ uses satire as a tool to critique the principles of capitalism and the lengths people will go to out of desperation, thereby positioning greed as a destructive human quality.

Alternatism

The play incorporates alternatism, a genre in which social roles are reversed to highlight hypocrisy and moral degradation in the society. The protagonist Claire Zachanassian, once a persecuted outcast, returns as the town’s potential saviour, showcasing moral degradation of the society.
This genre is important in illustrating the play’s key themes of justice and revenge. It serves to underline the changes in Claire’s character and the hypocrisy of the townspeople, thus acting as a critique of communal morals.

Political Drama

‘The Visit’ includes elements of political drama, as the play critiques not just individuals, but broader societal and governmental systems. It uses symbolism, speeches, and characters as representations of larger societal institutions and ideologies.
The play’s criticism of capitalism, use of corruption as a core theme, and the intertwined fate of personal and political greed make it an important example of political drama in theatre.