Shakespeare is undoubtedly one of the most memorable and meritorious names in English literature. Indeed, one of the underlying reasons for this is that Shakespeare can describe the human being with both good and bad aspects and also projects these on his plays ably. Therefore, it can be said that the success of Shakespeare stems from this. He is seen as a mirror which reflects people from all strata.
In addition to reflecting people’s imitations to his plays, it is possible to say that he also benefits from some concepts and notions in order to increase the effect and success of his plays. To give an example to these concepts and notions, in his comedies, ‘humour’ and ‘carnivalesque thought’ can be shown, but these are just two of the most important building blocks of a wall that build Shakespeare’s influence and success in his comedies. In this regard, "Twelfth Night", which is the only Shakespearean comedy with an alternative title called "What You Will", can be addressed because the playwright, whose name is frequently mentioned not only in English theatre but also in world theatre, adds meaning and depth to the play thanks to ‘humour’ and ‘carnivalesque thought’.
Also, it should be noted that the famous playwright brings a new breath to plays with such concepts and notions. In any case, this is his main goal. Therefore, in the same manner, it would not be wrong to say that Shakespeare has reinforced the foundations of this play in this way. Nevertheless, not only these concepts and notions, but the fact that Shakespeare, as in his other plays, animates real-life people no matter how they are also supports the previous sentence. So, just looking at the foundations or building blocks that make up this play separately is not enough to understand the depth and meaning of the play. At the same time, it is necessary to take their contribution to the play as a whole into account as well.
Accordingly, in this study, characteristics of ‘humour’ and ‘carnivalesque thought’ will be considered, and how Shakespeare has represented these in Twelfth Night will be analysed together with their contributions to the play.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Humorous View onto Twelfth Night
3. Carnivalesque Atmosphere in Twelfth Night
4. Conclusion
Objectives & Core Themes
The primary objective of this study is to examine how Shakespeare employs the concepts of 'humour' and 'carnivalesque thought' to deepen the narrative and structural integrity of his play Twelfth Night, ultimately demonstrating how these elements contribute to the play's enduring success.
- The theoretical foundations of humour (superiority, incongruous juxtaposition, and relief theories).
- The application of Bakhtin’s 'carnivalesque' concept to literary analysis.
- The manifestation of social inversion and identity confusion in Twelfth Night.
- The role of character flaws as a catalyst for comedic effect and audience engagement.
Excerpt from the Book
Humorous View onto Twelfth Night
Humour has a long and much debated history. However, since Plato, very important scientists have expressed their opinions on this issue and have agreed that humour cannot be explained by a single rule and formula. Thus, there is a great deal of thing which is written and is said about humour. According to Adams (2002), for example, everything such as funny or amusing act or expression and the object that generates laugh is among definitions of humour that are made (p. 7). As can be understood from here, it can be said that humour has a connection with laughter. If this relationship between laughter and humour is examined in general, three basic ideas are encountered. These ideas are mainly, ‘superiority theory’, ‘incongruous juxtaposition theory’ and ‘relief theory’. The first one of these, actually can be counted as the oldest theory about humour and laughter because in this theory, a picture emerges where people try to glorify themselves by laughing at each other’s flaws. Hence, it is clear that at the time this theory was put forward, humanity was far from the contemporary sense of humour. Looking at today’s humorous approach, although this theory is still valid, it is seen that the situations which can be called faults are in a more limited area as a result of the understanding of social sensitivity.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of Shakespeare’s enduring influence and introduces the thesis that 'humour' and 'carnivalesque thought' are essential building blocks of Twelfth Night.
Humorous View onto Twelfth Night: This section explores three major humour theories—superiority, incongruity, and relief—and analyzes how Shakespeare utilizes the superiority theory, specifically through the deception of Malvolio, to generate comedy.
Carnivalesque Atmosphere in Twelfth Night: This chapter applies Bakhtin’s theory of the 'carnivalesque' to the play, examining how the reversal of social roles, disguise, and festive irregularity contribute to a sense of freedom and subversion.
Conclusion: This final section synthesizes the findings, confirming that Shakespeare effectively utilizes human flaws within a festive, chaotic setting to achieve his comedic goals.
Keywords
Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, Humour, Carnivalesque, Mikhail Bakhtin, Superiority Theory, Comedy, Literature, Theatre, Social Inversion, Malvolio, Identity, Festive Atmosphere, Character Flaws, Dramatic Form
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research examines the structural and thematic importance of 'humour' and 'carnivalesque thought' in Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night.
What are the central themes discussed in the paper?
The paper focuses on humour theories, the impact of public consciousness on literature, social hierarchy inversion, and the function of comedy in drama.
What is the primary objective of this academic work?
The objective is to analyze how specific comedic and carnivalesque elements are represented in the play and how they contribute to its overall depth and success.
Which scientific methodology is utilized here?
The study employs a literary analysis method, applying established philosophical and dramatic theories (such as Bakhtin’s carnivalesque and various humour theories) to the text of the play.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body investigates the historical definitions of humour, applies the three main humour theories to the play, and explores the 'upside-down' world of Twelfth Night through a Bakhtinian lens.
How would you characterize this work using keywords?
Key terms include Shakespeare, carnivalesque, humour, Bakhtin, Twelfth Night, dramatic form, and social inversion.
How does the author define the 'carnivalesque' in this context?
The author defines it based on Bakhtin’s theory, describing it as a space of freedom where official hierarchies are challenged, authorities are ridiculed, and social rules are temporarily reversed.
Why is Malvolio’s character significant to the study of humour in the play?
Malvolio serves as the primary target for the 'superiority' form of humour, as his flaws and arrogance make him an object of ridicule, which in turn delights the audience.
- Quote paper
- Elif Dilem Demir (Author), 2021, A Review on Humour and Carnivalesque Thought in Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1159161
