Taking Humour Seriously (Hardcover)

INTRODUCTION Part I Occasions for humour 1 JOKING RELATIONSHIPS 2 CLOWNS AND RELIGION 3 MEDIEVAL COMEDY: FOOLS AND FOLLY Part II The functions of humour 4 FUNCTION AND FUNCTIONALISM 5 GENDER AND HUMOUR 6 FREUD Part III The structure of humour 7 INCONGRUITY 8 INCONGRUITY AND DISCURSIVE CUES 9 HUMOUR AND NARRATIVE STRUCTURE 10 COMEDY, FARCE AND NEO-CLASSICISM 11 MANNERS, WIT AND THE REFORM OF LANGUAGE Part IV The limits of humour 12 COMPREHENSION AND HUMOUR 13 PERFORMANCE AND OFFENCE