The Semiotics of Clowns and Clowning : Rituals of Transgression and the Theory of Laughter Paperback / softback
by Professor Emeritus Paul (University of Toronto, Canada) Bouissac
Part of the Bloomsbury Advances in Semiotics series
Paperback / softback
Description
During the last 300 years circus clowns have emerged as powerful cultural icons. This is the first semiotic analysis of the range of make-up and costumes through which the clowns' performing identities have been established and go on developing.
It also examines what Bouissac terms 'micronarratives' - narrative meanings that clowns generate through their acts, dialogues and gestures.
Putting a repertory of clown performances under the semiotic microscope leads to the conclusion that the performances are all interconnected and come from what might be termed a 'mythical matrix'.
These micronarratives replicate in context-sensitive forms a master narrative whose general theme refers to the emergence of cultures and constraints that they place upon instinctual behaviour.
From this vantage point, each performance can be considered as a ritual which re-enacts the primitive violence inherent in all cultures and the temporary resolutions which must be negotiated as the outcome.
Why do these acts of transgression and re-integration then trigger laughter and wonder?
What kind of mirror does this put up to society? In a masterful semiotic analysis, Bouissac delves into decades of research to answer these questions.
Information
-
Out of stock
- Format:Paperback / softback
- Pages:232 pages, 40 illus
- Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
- Publication Date:21/05/2015
- Category:
- ISBN:9781472532787
Information
-
Out of stock
- Format:Paperback / softback
- Pages:232 pages, 40 illus
- Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
- Publication Date:21/05/2015
- Category:
- ISBN:9781472532787
