The term "comedy of menace" was first used to describe Pinter's works by drama critic Irving Wardle.

Comedy and menace may seem to be contradictiory ideas, impossible to occur in the same play. However, this is precisely what Pinter does-by means of skillfully constructed dialogues and absurd situations, he mixes them together. Although Gus's and Ben's conversation appears to be funny (e.g. when they talk about lighting the kettle), there is a deeper meaning to it, which creates a menacing atmosphere and foreshadows the tragic end of the play.

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