I am reminded of Act two, scene five of "As You Like I". The character Malvolio is completely set up when his detractors plant a forged letter for him to read. Malvolio is the victim. He believes it is the lovely Olivia who loves him. He struts and preens himself. He is completely gulled by Sir Toby Belch and the wench Maria.
What may be ignored in using another era as a defence of the likes of Cohen, is that the participants were all actors. None were deceived, none absolutely devastated. Then away to the tavern all together afterward no doubt.
Those who support this man (Cohen) and laugh would of course fail to see the bottom line. If THEY had a relative, who was a vulnerable person and was gulled by Cohen and his even worse confederates and was ridiculed and humiliated- Would THEY then laugh?