Truth and the comedic art / Michael Gelven.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gelven, Michael.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Comedy--History and criticism.

Comedy.

European drama (Comedy)--History and criticism.

European drama (Comedy).

Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, 1756-1791. Nozze di Figaro.

Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus.

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. As you like it.

Shakespeare, William.

Wilde, Oscar, 1854-1900. Ideal husband.

Wilde, Oscar.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (183 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Albany, NY : State University of New York Press, c2000.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Traditional philosophy places a singular emphasis on tragedy, acting under the assumption that tragedy is more profound than comedy. Gelven argues that comedy deserves equal if not greater attention from philosophy. Through the interpretative readings and concrete analysis of three classical works, Gelven shows that comedy provides an access to truth unavailable by any other means. Silvius in Shakespeares's As You Like It, Cherubino in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, and Lord Goring in Wilde's An Ideal Husband are examined in terms of why and how they are comic, along with how and why they are seen both as fools and yet as graced. Gelven finds that in revealing the spirit of graced folly, comedy teaches us about our own essence, the fundamental nature of our finitude. This will undoubtedly be of considerable importance not only to philosophical aestheticians or literary critics, but also for those seeking to understand the nature of truth itself.

Contents:

Intro

Truth and the Comedic Art

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

1. COMIC LAUGHTER

2. SILVIUS

3. CHERUBINO

4. LORD GORING

5. FOLLY

6. GRACE

7. PERFORMANCE

8. TRUTH IN ART

9. CELEBRATION

10. FUN

EPILOGUE

INDEX

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

Y.

Notes:

Includes index.

ISBN:

9780791492147

0791492141

9780585418353

0585418357

OCLC:

50440188