What is the difference between a comedy and a tragedy?

Tragedies in general take the philosophical
view that life is a misfortune because it is filled with pain and suffering and always
inevitably ends in death. Comedies in general take the view that life is ridiculous because most
people behave like fools with unrealistic pretensions and expectations. Both viewpoints are
valid. Most of us see life as a grim and pointless struggle at some times, while at other times,
when we are in a good mood, we see life as a game to be played and not as something to be taken
seriously.