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COM 3407: Theories of ComedyTheoretical Overview

Florida Gulf Coast University Proudly Presents:

Good Morning

A Brief History of Comedy

Theoretical Overview

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A Brief History of Comedy

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Ancient Times

• Revel Song

• Road Trips

• Fertility Festivals

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Aristotle

• Comedy is good!

• Creativity = Imitation– Mimesis

– Mimic

• Learning brings pleasure.

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Plato

• Comedy is Bad!

• Distorts reality, distorts TRUTH

• Banned from ideal Republic

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Amos and Andy

Exposure for finest black actors.

Demeaning to black people

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Medieval Times

Satirical Poets – traveling jesters

– The government sucks– The Church is full of

hypocrites– It’s more fun to be

naughty

Celtic Invective Spells– Comedy as Magic– Hurt through

embarrassment

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Carl Hiaasen

Write something true about someone and they’re mad for a few minutes.

Write something true and funny - you’ve ruined their day.

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The Modern Study of Comedy

• Cataloging

• Ritual

• Power

• Artificial Intelligence

• Why do we laugh?

Theoretical Perspectives

Catharsis

Laughter is an explosion of emotion – a release of pressure.

Taboo subjects cause the greatest amount of pressure.

Superiority

Laughter stems from a feeling of “Sudden Glory” in our superiority to others.

Mechanism

Laughter is a social corrective that helps promote social harmony.

Subversion

Comedy provides a “free space” for the open mocking of those in power.

Review

• Comedy is universal, but not taken seriously

• Several different perspectives on why we laugh

• The right to “make fun of” is often a flashpoint for societal tension

For Next Mon.

• Read “Aristotle and Comedy” on the course website.

• Quiz #1 next Wed