It s no secret that major spectacles of all kinds captivate us whether we like it or not. We can use this to our advantage by cultivating a sense of humor as an attention-getting device. In this chapter, we ll examine what makes a scene humorous and effective. Consider, for instance, some of the spectacular dramas created by the Roman leader Julius Caesar. Caesar initially captured the imagination of his fellow citizens by funding extravagant gladiator contests, theatrical productions, and wild-animal hunts out of his own pocket. In fact, long before he became an emperor, Caesar was notorious...