The terms are arranged in reverse order !
The tale is a comedy . The sharpest humor lashes Haman . The ironic scene in which he advises the king on how to celebrate a national hero , thinking all the while that it is he who is the hailed , and then learns he is to honor his nemesis , Mordechai , is topped only by the farce of Esther ’ s second party . Haman , exposed as the villain , throws himself on Esther ’ s mercy--- indeed , he throws himself on Esther , fatefully adding injury to insult .
The comedy also aims a cynical Jewish eye at the overblown royal court of Persia . It lampoons the king and all that is kingly . The king ’ s chief concerns would seem to be showing off , maintaining protocol — and drinking ! His law is a joke : wife Vashti disobeys him , so he issues an edict to have all wives throughout the Persian empire obey their husbands and speak in their language .
The story of persecution and fortuitous escape from attempted genocide is not funny . But when the tale is told by survivors in a context of celebrating victory , as it is here , humor prevails .
Bottoms up !
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