A compelling guide to the fundamental place of humor and comedy within Western culture-by one of its greatest exponents. Written by an acknowledged master of comedy, this study reflects on the nature of humor and the functions it serves. Why do we laugh? What are we to make of the sheer variety of laughter, from braying and cackling to sniggering and chortling? Is humor subversive, or can it defuse dissent? Can we define wit? Packed with illuminating...

This book hopes it will pose some critical questions of method for the study of the arts. These essays reveal a Nicolas Poussin that has rarely been noticed before. Is that because he has been so honoured as a great classical master – serious painter of serious histories and neo-stoic philosopher – that almost nobody has noticed his humour, or wit. Yet everyone knows his letters to his friend Paul de Chantelou are full of puns. It should not be...

It is known that Shakespeare's company produced several of Jonson's plays, Shakespeare himself appearing in "Every Man in His Humour" (1598). The play was Jonson's first major success, written in the style of "humour plays," a genre of comedy originated by George Chapman. In it, Jonson targets some of his favorite topics for satire: education, love, poetry, and social classes. As each major character represents a different issue, the play transforms...

This book is here for you! Whether you are trying to find yourself, soul searching, looking for answers or just need some guidance to help you find your spirituality. I hope it makes you wonder about the bigger picture in life and inspires you to live in the reality that you want (you can have any life you want). It is a bit different to many other books which address the same subject and is done with humor but also without taking away all the serious...

Do you ever feel like your husband's antics have pushed you to the brink of madness? If so, you'll find comfort in Humour of a Housewife, a collection of witty poems that hilariously capture the trials and tribulations of daily life. From navigating the chaos of kids to the misadventures of a less-than-perfect spouse, these poems offer a humorous take on the ups and downs of being a housewife. So pour yourself a glass of wine, sit back, and let the...

While many Indian joke books are jokes themselves, this book avoids the pitfalls by its professional approach towards compilation, rewriting and editing. The book comprises the world's best adult medical jokes, quips, quotes and humour. Bold and bawdy lines that don't make it between the covers of joke books in India make an appearance here. Unlike many joke books that are a start-to-finish affair without categorisation, this book is divided into...

This collects the work of more than a dozen great American humorists of the 19th century.

In Shakespeare plays the tragic and the comic often fade into each other turning into harmonious blending of these two elements. Shakespeare takes a special delight in employment of such harmonies. His tragedies never fail of having their comic interludes and his comedies often have a serious undertone. Still, the comic is not the tragic, and in this collection we offer some of the more humorous and witty tales from Shakespeare. The following Shakespeare...

Humour in Therapy Have you ever wondered why humour sometimes is not very humorous and, in fact, can inflict more damage than good? Lansdown's research to date has shown that all therapists interviewed acknowledge that it's the relationship between the therapist and client that is one of the most important factors in the therapeutic process. The question Lansdown asked, "Could humour enhance this relationship?" He was amazed with their reactions...