
Laughing Awry offers a comprehensive overview of key themes in the interpretation of the plays of Plautus, and explores the connections between deception, desire, slavery, genre, and audience. It attempts to offer an account of the mechanisms of Plautus' humour and the uncomfortable origins of laughter.
This work investigates the underlying mechanisms of Plautine humor and the complex social implications of laughter within the context of Roman comedy. Erik Gunderson, a scholar of classical literature, utilizes a critical framework to analyze how Plautus constructs comedic scenarios that intersect with themes of deception, desire, and the institution of slavery. By examining the structural elements of the plays, the author argues that the laughter generated by these performances often stems from uncomfortable or transgressive sources that reflect the tensions of the Roman world.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Scholars and students of classical drama frequently cite this text for its nuanced approach to the darker, more subversive elements of Roman comedy. Experts highlight the author's ability to bridge the gap between ancient performance practices and modern theories of humor.
Page Count:
0
Publication Date:
2015-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2015
ISBN-10:
0191796220
ISBN-13:
9780191796227
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!