Biblical fun
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Vincent Hunink
Abstract
In this chapter I discuss the Cena Cypriani, a 4th century curiosum in early Christian literature, describing a special wedding attended by a great number of biblical characters. First I run through the text as a whole and discuss the few known facts about the background of the text. Next I concentrate on the four final sections, which show some surprising features. These in turn bring me to concluding observations on the type of fun aimed at in this text. I argue that the Cena Cypriani consistently aims at playful irreverence and seems intended for a learned Christian readership. Some final remarks about the later reception of the text conclude the paper.
Abstract
In this chapter I discuss the Cena Cypriani, a 4th century curiosum in early Christian literature, describing a special wedding attended by a great number of biblical characters. First I run through the text as a whole and discuss the few known facts about the background of the text. Next I concentrate on the four final sections, which show some surprising features. These in turn bring me to concluding observations on the type of fun aimed at in this text. I argue that the Cena Cypriani consistently aims at playful irreverence and seems intended for a learned Christian readership. Some final remarks about the later reception of the text conclude the paper.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- About the contributors ix
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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
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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
