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,
This book is about so many things, it is hard to stay on one topic for any length of time. In order to focus on the laugh and laughing as a healing agent, I would like to look towards other influential writers and thinkers to tie together laughing and healing. First, let’s see what laughter is according to Meriam Webster: laughter- n. a cause of merriment. Using this simple definition, we can assume that laughter can come from any form of merriment or emotion like triumph, contempt, relief, and almost any other emotion there is. It is easy to picture in your head different underlying emotions in laughter; the sinister laughs of witches and ghosts, the insincere, fake laughs you hear after pointless, humorless attempts at jokes on the six o’clock news, to the silent laughs of mimes and clowns that fill the people around them with a happy feeling. These are all examples of what laughter is and how it is used. But why do we do it? What in nature created the laugh and made it so successful?
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.
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.
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.
Andrew is funny, it is not intentional. His faults include a lack of wit, a
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
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).
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...
In Twelfth Night the relationships are anything but romantic. Shakespeare writes from the male point of view which implies an un-easy split between love and physical charm. In Twelfth night the romance is falsely produced by selfish desire. Duke Orsino and Viola stand out from the other relationships. By questioning the relationships between the other couples, Shakespeare highlights the true love between Viola and Orsino and the fake relationship of Malvolio and Olivia which is truly based on Malvolio’s desire of a higher status , despite his status and his personality , Malvolio tries to impress Olivia by dressing up in ridiculous clothes , which does far from his aim , and repulses Olivia.
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...
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.
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.
Humor in William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night In Twelfth Night we see different types of humour. There is the witty
...oth perspectives. They both still being servants are using disguise differently. Malvolio, servant of Olivia and Viola, servant of Orsino, they both have felt love for their masters/boss. They both express it differently, Malvolio loving Olivia uses cheery appearance and Viola loving Orsino hides her love secretly in her disguise. This essay was to prove that disguises and appearance is a symbolic feature for Viola and Malvolio's characters. According to given facts and examples, it was very clear that Viola and Malvolio use disguises as their shield, but they each use it differently.
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.