Comedy that exploits physical traits is often the lowest type of humor, and probably has mythic roots (Odysseus as beggar). The twin faults of physical deformity and economic misery combine to highlight the divisive valuations of a master class.
Character and personality satires, caricatures, or spoofs are less physically oriented humor, and could be seen as trademarks of a different, more socialized, or politically-conscious groups. A moral or philosophical dimension is added, but still hinting at ideals that have not been properly met.
Situational comedy has ancient roots too, and exploits the malentendu, confusion, or mix-ups resulting from accidents beyond human control. It may not be hard to say that absurdist comedy has roots here, although with this type, any master context allowing the comedy to be defined is already missing. Thus, any discussion of "roots" becomes misplaced here...
The first represents the breakdown of a cosmic order (reversals); the second one can only point out the impossibility to identify a point where that is possible. The baseline, in fact, is a kind of metaphysics of poverty, but which is haunted by the echo of order, meaning and language. This is why the play of language, and its tendency to break down, dramatizes this irreparable tension.
