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Book Title: Greek Laughter: A Study of Cultural Psychology from Homer to Early Christianity Book Author: Stephen Halliwell (Author) Paperback: 632 pages Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (October 2, 2008) Language: English ISBN-10: 0521717744 ISBN-13: 978-0521717748 The first book to offer an integrated reading of ancient Greek attitudes to laughter. Taking material from various genres and contexts, the book analyses both the theory and the practice of laughter as a revealing expression of Greek values and mentalities. Greek society developed distinctive institutions for the celebration of laughter as a capacity which could bridge the gap between humans and gods; but it also feared laughter for its power to expose individuals and groups to shame and even violence. Caught between ideas of pleasure and pain, friendship and enmity, laughter became a theme of recurrent interest in various contexts. Employing a sophisticated model of cultural history, Stephen Halliwell traces elaborations of the theme in a series of important texts: ranging far beyond modern accounts of 'humour', he shows how perceptions of laughter helped to shape Greek conceptions of the body, the mind and the meaning of life.  Reviews '...a wide survey of Greek laughter from Homer to the early Christians...the introduction is quite the best brief overview of the role of laughter in any historical period that I have ever read... some of [Halliwell's] discussions are brilliant... The highlight is his discussion of Democritus, the fifth-century philosopher and atomist...' --TLS "Stephen Halliwell has written a monumental book on the notoriously volatile and elusive phenomenon of laughter. This book is an extraordinary resource. The trouble with laughter--and the delight of it--is that it impinges on practically every socio-cultural dynamic imaginable. Halliwell has given us a rich and remarkable starting point for thing about such dynamics. That is why every student of the ancient world should attend this book." --BMCR "...a book of great originality as well as immense range... it is remarkable how a chronological treatment also has a compelling thematic momentum: this is an exhilarating read." --The Anglo-Hellenic Review Book Description The first attempt to provide an integrated account of the bodily and psychological workings of laughter in ancient Greece. Adopting a wide chronological perspective and dealing with numerous aspects of cultural history, Halliwell shows how the theme of laughter can shed light on Greek ethical values and attitudes to life. Sharing Widget |
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