The Spirituality of Comedy : Comic Heroism in a Tragic World by Conrad Hyers
To understand comedy is to under stand humanity, for the comic sense is central to what it means to be human. Nearly all the major issues with which human beings have exercised themselves are touched upon in some manner by the comic spirit. Yet education in the art of comedy and in comic appreciation is given little atten tion in most societies. The Spirituality of Comedy explores the wisdom of comedy and the comic answer to tragedy (in both popular and classical senses of the term). Tragedy is seen as a fundamental problem of human existence, while comedy is its counterweight and resolution. Conrad Hyers has taken a fresh look at comedy from the standpoint of comparative mythology and religion, and thus at comedy's spiritual significance. He maintains that the ability to see the humor in things, to create comic tales and rituals, is among the most imaginative and profound of all human achievements. Comedy interrupts the tragic seriousness with which we take ourselves, our values and beliefs, and introduces a different spirit and larger vision of life. Comic figures, even when making an appearance in great literature and drama, debunk human great ness and grandeur and mock heroic claims. In his unique study of the comic tradition, Hyers explains the difficulty in pinning down themes, structures, plots, or characters that are common to all comedy. Instead he argues that there is an essence of comedy in the area of spirit rather than form, perspective rather than pattern. He draws upon the rich historical ensemble of types of comic fi gures, with a chapter devoted to each: the humorist, comedian, comic hero, rogue, trickster, clown, fool, underdog, and simpleton. He shows how each type incarnates a comic heroism in its own unique manner, offering a profound wisdom and philosophy of life. The approach of this book is broadly interdisciplinary, with materials and interpretations introduced from the various fields of the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences as they illuminate both the tragic and comic sensibilities. The methodological thread that draws this all together is an analy sis of the major types of comic figures in terms of the myths and legends as sociated with them, the rituals they pro duce and enact, and the symbolism of the comic fi gures themselves. Written in a very readable literary style, The Spirituality of Comedy will appeal to psychologists, social scientists, clergy, philosophers, and students of literature.
Read online The Spirituality of Comedy : Comic Heroism in a Tragic World Buy The Spirituality of Comedy : Comic Heroism in a Tragic World Download and read The Spirituality of Comedy : Comic Heroism in a Tragic World ebook, pdf, djvu, epub, mobi, fb2, zip, rar, torrent Download to iPad/iPhone/iOS, B&N nook The Spirituality of Comedy : Comic Heroism in a Tragic World ebook, pdf, djvu, epub, mobi, fb2, zip, rar, torrent
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Litauische Volkslieder Und Marchen Aus Dem Preussischen Und Dem Russischen Litauen ebook
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Author: Conrad Hyers
Number of Pages: 256 pages
Published Date: 30 Sep 2008
Publisher: Transaction Publishers
Publication Country: Somerset, NJ, United States
Language: English
ISBN: 9781412807814
Download Link: the spirituality of comedy comic heroism in a tragic world
---------------------------------------------------------------
Author: Conrad Hyers
Number of Pages: 256 pages
Published Date: 30 Sep 2008
Publisher: Transaction Publishers
Publication Country: Somerset, NJ, United States
Language: English
ISBN: 9781412807814
Download Link: the spirituality of comedy comic heroism in a tragic world
---------------------------------------------------------------
To understand comedy is to under stand humanity, for the comic sense is central to what it means to be human. Nearly all the major issues with which human beings have exercised themselves are touched upon in some manner by the comic spirit. Yet education in the art of comedy and in comic appreciation is given little atten tion in most societies. The Spirituality of Comedy explores the wisdom of comedy and the comic answer to tragedy (in both popular and classical senses of the term). Tragedy is seen as a fundamental problem of human existence, while comedy is its counterweight and resolution. Conrad Hyers has taken a fresh look at comedy from the standpoint of comparative mythology and religion, and thus at comedy's spiritual significance. He maintains that the ability to see the humor in things, to create comic tales and rituals, is among the most imaginative and profound of all human achievements. Comedy interrupts the tragic seriousness with which we take ourselves, our values and beliefs, and introduces a different spirit and larger vision of life. Comic figures, even when making an appearance in great literature and drama, debunk human great ness and grandeur and mock heroic claims. In his unique study of the comic tradition, Hyers explains the difficulty in pinning down themes, structures, plots, or characters that are common to all comedy. Instead he argues that there is an essence of comedy in the area of spirit rather than form, perspective rather than pattern. He draws upon the rich historical ensemble of types of comic fi gures, with a chapter devoted to each: the humorist, comedian, comic hero, rogue, trickster, clown, fool, underdog, and simpleton. He shows how each type incarnates a comic heroism in its own unique manner, offering a profound wisdom and philosophy of life. The approach of this book is broadly interdisciplinary, with materials and interpretations introduced from the various fields of the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences as they illuminate both the tragic and comic sensibilities. The methodological thread that draws this all together is an analy sis of the major types of comic figures in terms of the myths and legends as sociated with them, the rituals they pro duce and enact, and the symbolism of the comic fi gures themselves. Written in a very readable literary style, The Spirituality of Comedy will appeal to psychologists, social scientists, clergy, philosophers, and students of literature.
Read online The Spirituality of Comedy : Comic Heroism in a Tragic World Buy The Spirituality of Comedy : Comic Heroism in a Tragic World Download and read The Spirituality of Comedy : Comic Heroism in a Tragic World ebook, pdf, djvu, epub, mobi, fb2, zip, rar, torrent Download to iPad/iPhone/iOS, B&N nook The Spirituality of Comedy : Comic Heroism in a Tragic World ebook, pdf, djvu, epub, mobi, fb2, zip, rar, torrent
Classical Hollywood Cinema : Point of View and Communication book
Download torrent 50 Quick and Easy Ways to Prepare for Ofsted
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Litauische Volkslieder Und Marchen Aus Dem Preussischen Und Dem Russischen Litauen ebook