About this eTextbook
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'. ISBNs for A Philosophy of Comedy on Stage and Screen are 9781472580450, 1472580451 and the print ISBNs are 9781350004511, 1350004510. Additional ISBNs include 9781472580436.
Publication details
- Author: Shaun May
- Publisher: Methuen Drama
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