Opponent or advocate?
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Nicole Graham
Abstract
This chapter explores one of the earliest Christian commentators on laughter, Clement of Alexandria. It argues that his views on laughter were more nuanced than the fervent opposition with which he is often characterised and that, at times, he advocates for laughter. With particular reference to ‘On laughter’ in his Paedagogus, this chapter will demonstrate how Clement was influenced by Greek philosophy, Scripture, and the Hellenistic society within which he lived when forming his ambiguous views on laughter. Indeed, by exploring laughter in various forms, e.g. drunken laughter, erotic laughter, comic laughter, and pedagogical laughter, it will become clear that Clement’s beliefs about laughter vary depending on the context, the intention, and the consequences of the laughter.
Abstract
This chapter explores one of the earliest Christian commentators on laughter, Clement of Alexandria. It argues that his views on laughter were more nuanced than the fervent opposition with which he is often characterised and that, at times, he advocates for laughter. With particular reference to ‘On laughter’ in his Paedagogus, this chapter will demonstrate how Clement was influenced by Greek philosophy, Scripture, and the Hellenistic society within which he lived when forming his ambiguous views on laughter. Indeed, by exploring laughter in various forms, e.g. drunken laughter, erotic laughter, comic laughter, and pedagogical laughter, it will become clear that Clement’s beliefs about laughter vary depending on the context, the intention, and the consequences of the laughter.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- About the contributors ix
-
Part I. Humour as tool and topic (essays)
- Humour, risk and religion 3
- Religion and humour 11
- The unquenchable laughter of the gods 17
- Is the application of modern humour theories on historical cases a joke? 23
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Part II. Christianity and Judaism in Late Antiquity
- Derisive laughter and religious identity in ancient Christianity 33
- Opponent or advocate? 47
- “This joke has gone on for long enough” 63
- The smile of the martyr 81
- Divine mockery and laughing Rabbis 93
- Converting comedians 107
- Biblical fun 127
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Part III. The Qur’an and early Arabic literature
- Humour and its ethics 145
- A laughing God, between Sunni approval and Shi’ite rejection 155
- Poetic parodies of Islamic discourses by Abū Nuwās 183
- Greek and Buddhist jokes and their corresponding versions in classical Arabic literature 207
-
Part IV. Buddhism
- How is this sutra different from my ass? 221
- Finicking monkeys 235
- “Are you really serious?” 253
-
Part V. Conclusion
- Humour in religion 273
- Index 301
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- About the contributors ix
-
Part I. Humour as tool and topic (essays)
- Humour, risk and religion 3
- Religion and humour 11
- The unquenchable laughter of the gods 17
- Is the application of modern humour theories on historical cases a joke? 23
-
Part II. Christianity and Judaism in Late Antiquity
- Derisive laughter and religious identity in ancient Christianity 33
- Opponent or advocate? 47
- “This joke has gone on for long enough” 63
- The smile of the martyr 81
- Divine mockery and laughing Rabbis 93
- Converting comedians 107
- Biblical fun 127
-
Part III. The Qur’an and early Arabic literature
- Humour and its ethics 145
- A laughing God, between Sunni approval and Shi’ite rejection 155
- Poetic parodies of Islamic discourses by Abū Nuwās 183
- Greek and Buddhist jokes and their corresponding versions in classical Arabic literature 207
-
Part IV. Buddhism
- How is this sutra different from my ass? 221
- Finicking monkeys 235
- “Are you really serious?” 253
-
Part V. Conclusion
- Humour in religion 273
- Index 301
