Truth and the Comedic Art

Michael Gelven

Description

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.

Acknowledgments

I. Comic Laughter

II. Silvius

III. Cherubino

IV. Lord Goring

V. Folly

VI. Grace

VII. Performance

VIII. Truth in Art

IX. Celebration

X. Fun

Epilogue

Index

Sujets

• Philosophy

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 01 février 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780791492147
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

MICHAEL GEL EN V

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Truth and the Comedic Art

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Truth and the Comedic Art

Michael Gelven

State University of New York Press

Published by State University of New York Press

© Copyright 2000 State University of New York

All rights reserved

No part of this book may be used in any manner whatsoever without written permis- sion. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical pho- tocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.

For information, address State University of New York Press, State University Plaza, Albany, NY 12246

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Library of Congress CataloginginPublication Data

Gelven, Michael. Truth and the comedic art / Michael Gelven. p. cm. Includes index. ISBN 0-7914-4663-8 (HC : alk. paper)—ISBN 0-7914-4664-6 (PB : alk. paper) 1. Comedy—History and criticism. 2. European drama (Comedy)—History and criticism. 3. Shakespeare, William, 1564–1616. As you like it. 4. Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, 1756–1791. Nozze di Figaro. 5. Wilde, Oscar, 1854–1900. Ideal husband. I. Title. PN1922.G38 2000 809.2'523—dc21 99-058135

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Acknowledgments

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Epilogue

Index

C ONTENTS

Comic Laughter

Silvius

Cherubino

Lord Goring

Folly

Grace

Performance

Truth in Art

Celebration

Fun

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A CKNOWLEDGMENTS

T OM Nugent: At the beginning, you challenged me with your preference for tragedy; may this, together with the dramas we shared together, show comedies have greatness, too. Thanks for your friendship, and being my undergraduate apprentice. Donald Livington: For so many years you served as my mentor to slow erudition. I am grateful for all you’ve done, both as critic and friend. Tom Schall and Annette Dixon: My west coast resources for living well. Our too rare visits still sparkle; some of our three-way conversations should go down in history. All three of us need a bit more comedic art in our lives. Herman Stark: With whom else have I shared so many great comedies, talked about them, and learned from them together? Thank you for read- ing the manuscript. Thanks to the Lyric Opera of Chicago and Shakespeare Repertory of Chicago, and all the wonderful store-front theatres on the north and near- north who put on such spirited Shakespeare.

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