Diachronic analyses of humor as a cultural heritage phenomenon

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Diachronic analyses of humor as a cultural heritage phenomenon

Doare Jana, PhD. student Faculty of Mass Media Pan-European University

Abstract

The paper examines the role of humor as a phenomenon associated with significant historical events and personalities. The paper explains how humor in its literary form and oral delivery becomes a genre that is part of cultural heritage and has its own specificities in each nation. It reflects on politics and social issues as perceived by the broad masses. The periodization of humor in a condensed form throughout the history of mankind from antiquity to the present day gives a lot of stimuli for the study of culture in this field.

Key words: Diachronic analysis, humor, literature, cultural heritage, social commentary.

Introduction

A diachronic analysis of humor as a cultural heritage phenomenon involves examining the historical evolution of humor over time and its role as a shared cultural expression. It includes exploring the cultural, social, and historical factors that shape humor and its significance in forming a society's collective identity and cultural heritage. Moreover, such humor analysis must consider preserving cultural traditions and values as a form of social commentary and resistance and how humor evolves and adapts to changing cultural contexts.

For example, a diachronic analysis of humor in Western culture might examine how humor has been used to comment on political and social issues over time, such as the use of political satire during the Enlightenment or the rise of stand-up comedy in the 20th century.

Similarly, a diachronic analysis of humor in a specific non-Western culture might examine how humor has been used in traditional storytelling or performance art and its role in contemporary media and popular culture.

Such an analysis also examines how cultural attitudes towards humor have changed over time, including attitudes towards certain forms of humor (such as irony or satire) and attitudes towards humor as a tool for social critique.

Several stages of the historical evolution of humor

Ancient Humor. Ancient humor refers to the type of humor present in ancient civilizations such as ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt. This type of humor dated back to at least the 8th century BCE and was present in various forms, including plays, jokes, and satirical works.

Ancient humor was an essential part of the cultural fabric of these civilizations, providing a means of critiquing the world around them and allowing people to see their circumstances from a different perspective. Ancient Greek comedy, for example, often used humor to poke fun at societal norms and human foibles, while Roman humor was often more focused on satire and ridicule. Ancient humor was also present in the form of satire, with writers like Aristophanes using humor to criticize political figures and societal issues.

Medieval Humor. Medieval humor refers to the type of humor prevalent during the Middle Ages, roughly from the 5th to the 15th centuries. During this time, humor was used as entertainment and was often presented in folktales, festivals, and other forms of popular culture. Medieval humor often incorporated elements of the absurd, such as talking animals and fantastical creatures, and was often bawdy and irreverent. Jesters and fools were also a common source of humor in medieval times, using humor and wit to entertain royalty and commoners alike. Despite the lack of written records, it is clear that humor played an important role in medieval society, providing a release from the difficulties of daily life and allowing people to engage with each other in a lighthearted way. Medieval humor was a way for people to cope with life's difficulties. Humor served as a form of social commentary, allowing individuals to express their thoughts and feelings in a manner being more acceptable than speaking out directly. Examples of medieval humor include bawdy tales, jokes about fools, and satires of various aspects of society, such as the clergy and the nobility. Not to forget, the church primarily dominated humor during the Middle Ages for instruction and moral improvement. The use of humor in the Middle Ages reflected society's values, beliefs, and attitudes and provided insight into individuals' daily lives and perspectives.

Renaissance Humor. Renaissance humor refers to the style and forms of humor that were popular during the Renaissance period in Europe, roughly spanning from the 14th to the 17th centuries.

Enlightenment humor. Enlightenment humor is a type of humor based on the principles and ideas of Enlightenment philosophy that emerged during the Enlightenment era in the 18th century. The Enlightenment era focused on rationality and developed a more rational form of humor, often centered on poking fun at societal norms and political figures. Enlightenment humor often targets corrupt institutions, oppressive political systems, and other forms of authority intending to promote reason, freedom, and equality. It emphasizes wit, wordplay, satire, and irony to challenge conventional beliefs and attitudes and a more sophisticated form of humor aimed at a more educated audience. Some famous examples of Enlightenment humor include the works of Voltaire, Jonathan Swift, and Laurence Sterne.

Modern Humor. With the rise of the printing press and the spread of literacy, humor became more widespread in the modern era. Satire and political cartoons became popular forms of humor, and new forms of entertainment, such as the circus, vaudeville, and film, emerged.

Contemporary Humor. Contemporary humor refers to the type of humor that is current and relevant to the present time and culture. Contemporary humor reflects current events, social and political issues, popular culture, and technology. Nowadays, humor can take many forms and is often influenced by current events, cultural trends, and the use of technology. It encompasses a wide range of comedic styles, including satire, irony, sarcasm, and slapstick, as well as formats, including stand-up comedy, sketch comedy, memes, and viral videos, among others.

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