A Philosophy of Comedy on Stage and Screen

You Have to be There

Fiction & Literature, Drama, Nonfiction, Entertainment, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy
Cover of the book A Philosophy of Comedy on Stage and Screen by Shaun May, Bloomsbury Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Shaun May ISBN: 9781472580450
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Publication: December 17, 2015
Imprint: Methuen Drama Language: English
Author: Shaun May
ISBN: 9781472580450
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication: December 17, 2015
Imprint: Methuen Drama
Language: English

As far as we know, only human beings have a sense of humour – although chimps might laugh when tickled, and dogs respond similarly in play, Seth McFarlane's fan-base is comprised exclusively of humans. Whilst animals and robots might feature as prominent characters in our favourite comic movies, shows and stand-up routines, we have no reason to suspect that their real-life brethren get the joke.

Drawing on the philosophy of Martin Heidegger, Shaun May attempts to address this issue – suggesting that there is something distinctive about human beings which grounds our ability to make and comprehend jokes. Guiding the reader through a range of examples, including the films of Charlie Chaplin, the stand-up of Francesca Martinez, the TV show Family Guy and Samuel Beckett's Endgame, he demonstrates that in order to get the joke you have to 'be there'.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

As far as we know, only human beings have a sense of humour – although chimps might laugh when tickled, and dogs respond similarly in play, Seth McFarlane's fan-base is comprised exclusively of humans. Whilst animals and robots might feature as prominent characters in our favourite comic movies, shows and stand-up routines, we have no reason to suspect that their real-life brethren get the joke.

Drawing on the philosophy of Martin Heidegger, Shaun May attempts to address this issue – suggesting that there is something distinctive about human beings which grounds our ability to make and comprehend jokes. Guiding the reader through a range of examples, including the films of Charlie Chaplin, the stand-up of Francesca Martinez, the TV show Family Guy and Samuel Beckett's Endgame, he demonstrates that in order to get the joke you have to 'be there'.

More books from Bloomsbury Publishing

Cover of the book Preserves by Shaun May
Cover of the book RSPB Garden Birds by Shaun May
Cover of the book The Cane by Shaun May
Cover of the book Interdisciplinary Research Journeys by Shaun May
Cover of the book Lose Weight for Good by Shaun May
Cover of the book History of Technology Volume 30 by Shaun May
Cover of the book The History and Uncertain Future of Handwriting by Shaun May
Cover of the book Multilingualism, Citizenship, and Identity by Shaun May
Cover of the book Peter L. Berger and the Sociology of Religion by Shaun May
Cover of the book The Cyrus Cylinder by Shaun May
Cover of the book David Jones's The Grail Mass and Other Works by Shaun May
Cover of the book River Cottage Light & Easy by Shaun May
Cover of the book Albert Kesselring by Shaun May
Cover of the book Gender, Culture and Politics in England, 1560-1640 by Shaun May
Cover of the book Everyday Examples by Shaun May
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy