Why do we laugh? The question has perplexed philosophers for centuries—prompting countless essays, discourses, and speeches. Quintilian, a first century Roman rhetoric instructor, theorized in his Institutio Oratorio that humor is “independent of art [and] depends on nature and opportunity,” which explains the witty and subtleties of humor in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night (358). Humor in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, in accordance with Quintilian's philosophy, results from a delicate balance of personality, or nature, and circumstance but not craft, or a change in personality. The cause of the humor can be attributed to nature and circumstance because in most cases the character does not change their personality; if the character in question does …show more content…
Oliva witness Viola, who she perceives to be her husband, Sebastian, declare her love for Duke Orsino, another man. Olivia thinking that her husband “detests” her, “[calls] forth the holy father,” to verify their marriage (5.1.128, 131). The humor in this altercation stems from the incongruity theory. Olivia does not expect Viola (or Cesario) to act the way she does and her subsequent “freak-out” causes the audience to laugh. Olivia does not change her personality at all in this scene, nor does she use change the way she talks. Earlier in the play, when Olivia sees Malvolio acting strange, she responds in a similar way; in act three, Olivia responds to Malvolio’s behavior by saying “this is very midsummer madness,” and subsequently allowing Maria “look to Malvolio.” (3.4.48-49) Olivia in Act three shows that she is confused easily and reacts aggressively to the confusion. Olivia acts the same way in act five—she both questions the person and pulls an outside source to investigate. Due to the similarities between Olivia’s response to Malvolio and Olivia’s response to Viola, Olivia did not change her personality to make the scene funny for the audience, and thus, her natural temperament made the scene funny. Olivia, however, would not have reacted this way had the situation been different; thus, the humor stems from …show more content…
Andrew’s humor centres around the superiority which attributes humor to the mocking of the “lower class,” or in this case those of lower intelligence. Andrew is portrayed as simple, stupid drunkards who is unaware of his blatant manipulations. For example, in act one, Andrew is identified as “a foolish knight,” whose only purpose to Toby is “[his] three thousand ducats a year.” Andrew does not further his intelligence when “INSERT SOME EXAMPLE.” This blatant manipulation of Andrew both confirms that Andrew is not intelligent, but also serves as an example of superiority humor. Because Andrew lacks intellect, the fellow characters poke fun of him which prompts the audience to laugh at his expense (in German, schadenfreude). For example, in act four scenes one and two, when Toby convinces Andrew to challenge Cesario to a duel in an effort to improve his relations with Oliva. Toby understands that Andrew will probably not act—Toby says “I dare lay any money ‘twill be nothing yet”—but the spectacle of Andrew fighting coupled with the prospect of losing his source of money, Andrew, push Toby to convince Andrew (3.4.334) This is an example of superiority humor because Andrew is unaware that he is being manipulated, and is certain that Toby has his best interests at heart. Thus, Andrew’s lack of intelligence, a key part of his personality and role in the play,
Thoughtful laughter is a technique used frequently in satirical pieces in literature. It allows for the audience to enjoy the wittiness of a work, later ponder on the meaning, and then apply the message to reality. Thoughtful laughter is often an inner experience that can only be achieved by authors who write meticulously. Two examples of satirical works in literature that display this concept explicitly are Voltaire’s Candide and C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. Both authors explore the depths of satire and simultaneously deliver an important message to readers through skillful technique.
In this quote, Simon Wheeler’s speech contrasts false and the truth. Here, the story describes Smiley’s voice as having a “gentle-flowing key” when in reality he finds Smiley dull and boring.Another use of irony that Twain put in the story is dramatic irony, “The feller took the money… Smiley he stood scratching his head…” (Twain pg 683). This quote points out a dramatic irony that happened to Smiley. Smiley was oblivious to what happened to him and the reader knows what occurred. In addition, there is a dramatic irony due to what happened to the frog whereas Smiley does not have a
In One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, humor is present in a very powerful form. Normally, insane people don’t have the capacity to laugh or find the humor in something as we "normal" people do. They live tragic existences, wandering day by day in the bland, depressing world of an asylum. They have forgotten how to live because they are under the authoritative rule of the head nurse, and under the behavioral influence of drug doses and bossy orderlies. The patients have no real existence of their own, and they are essentially lifeless. As the Lord works in mysterious ways, Randall MacMurphy is "sent" to heal the patients of the asylum. He shows them that to laugh is good, and laughing at yourself can sometimes be the best medicine. He is the comic healer who gives life to the otherwise hopeless patients of the asylum. MacMurphy seems to have an affinity for laughter. In essence, it is an escape for him- it makes him feel good, and most importantly, it radiates to his friends, and helps heal them.
Thoughtful laughter is a tool that is used in writing and is said to be the “true test of comedy.” There is no true definition of thoughtful laughter, but for the most part, it means how it sounds. A scene portrays that initially ensues laughter, but then gives an understanding of a larger concept. In Shakespeare's comedic plays he often ensues thoughtful laughter in his audience. One scene in which it shows comes from Taming of The Shrew, Act II, Scene 1. In this scene, Katherine and Petruchio engage in a verbal battle, showing Katherine’s true shrewdness and Petruchio’s cunningness, as well as setting the audience up for the rest of Petruchio’s antics.
Andrew is funny, it is not intentional. His faults include a lack of wit, a
Malvolio finds the letter and notices that it is Olivia's handwriting. Shakespeare creates comedy with his play on words, Malvolio comments on how it is almost certainly Olivia's writing "these be her very C's, her U's, and her T's and thus makes she her great Ps" The use of the sexual innuendo referring to the female genitalia and urination is very clear when spoken aloud which is very amusing. Further comedy is created by Sir Andrews reaction, "C's, her U's, and her T's: why that?" Sir Andrew does not understand the joke, the audience finds this funny but at the same time we also feel sorry for him because he is very dim witted.
The play opens with Orsino, the Duke of Illyria, expressing his deep love for the Countess Olivia. Meanwhile, the shipwrecked Viola disguises herself as a man and endeavors to enter the Duke’s service. Although she has rejected his suit, the Duke then employs Viola, who takes the name of Cesario, to woo Olivia for him. As the play continues, Cesario falls in love with the Duke, and Olivia falls in love with Cesario, who is really Viola disguised. Maria, Olivia’s servant woman, desires to seek revenge on Malvolio, Olivia’s steward. “To the delight of Sir Toby, Olivia’s uncle, and his friend Sir Andrew, Maria comes up with a plot to drop love letters supposedly written by Olivia in Malvolio’s path. When she does, they observe him, along with Fabian, another servant, as Malvolio falls for the bait. Believing that Olivia loves him, he makes a fool of himself” (Napierkowski 3).
Although Viola might be able to relate to Olivia's grief at first, her love for Orsino is so great that she cannot understand why Olivia would deny him. When Olivia expresses affectio...
Humor in William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night In Twelfth Night we see different types of humour. There is the witty
Characters in comedy and tragedy are generally quite different. Comic characters are (or used to be) lower class individuals (Aristotle, Goldsmith). Indeed this is the case with t...
The clown contributes towards the humourous entertainment of this play through his numerous puns and jokes. He is a source of laughter, not because we are humoured by his "foolery"; for he proves to be no fool at all; but rather because he amuses us with his brilliant wit. Having mastered the art of jesting, Feste is sensitive of his profession, always aware of the circumstances he is in and the appropriateness of this folly.
Twelfth Night consists of a large number of love triangles, however many characters are too indulged in love that they are blind to the untrue, and the weakness of their relationship, they are deceived by themselves and many people around them ( ex. Malvolio is tricked by Sir Andrew, Feste ,Sir Toby and Maria),but there are certain incidents where the love is true and two characters feel very strongly about one another. In the play, Viola and Orsino have the most significant relationship. The way they interact with each other causes the complexity on which the play is all about, their relationship turns from strangers to friends then lovers .In the First Act Viola is not honest with Orsino because she disguises herself as a male servant named Cesario in order to get closer to the duke. Orsino. Orsino quickly trusts Cesario and sends him to Olivia to declare Orsinos Love for her, the girl he most dearly loves. This quick bond is the fast example of their relationship. At the beginning of the play, Viola thinks her brother (Sebastian) is dead (after they’re deadly boat crash, where they get separated) when actually he is alive and thinks she is dead, Viola always seems to have a part missing from her which shows her bond with Sebastian is strong, and a part of her but in a brotherly/sisterly way rather than a proper relationship like viola and orsino, At the end of the play they meet and both fall in love , Viola with Orsino and Sebastian with Olivia.
Oscar Wilde’s, “The Importance of Being Earnest”, play carefully uses satire as a didactic tool to mask the underlying social commentary with the help of comedy through characters theme and dialogue. Wilde uses satire to ridicule class and wealth, marriage and the ignorance of the Victorian Age. Audiences are continually amused by Wilde’s use of linguistic and comic devices such as double entendre, puns, paradox and epigrams, especially in the case of social commentary and didactic lessons. Characters portrayed in the play such as Jack, Cecily, Algernon and Lady Bracknell, allow Wilde to express his opinions on the social problems during the Victorian Age.
Viola/Ceasario's disguise hides most of her past: the shipwreck, her lost brother, and the fact that she is a woman. Her identity now as a man, is to move on in life and get a job. Her love for Orsino is hidden with her original identity, as though she works for him as his servant. She is a very strong character in the play. "I prithee (and I’ll pay thee bounteously)/ Conceal me what I am, and be my aid/ For such disguise as haply shall become/ The form of my intent. I’ll serve this duke." (1.2.52-55). After the shipwreck and the loss of her brother, Viola decides to move on using a disguise as her shield. Viola’s secret love for Orsino is different than the way Olivia loves Ceasario. Olivia is in lo...
Humor has been the source of entertainment throughout history. Today humor is practiced in movies, plays, songs, television shows and radio. Humor has brought fame and fortune to those who have mastered its power.