If people who are living outside the United Kingdom are asked to characterise British humour, many of them will probably mention the jokes of one of the Monty Python series or maybe famous quotes from the British sitcom Fawlty Towers; and if you ask these people which person they would associate with the shows, the answer will probably be: John Cleese. He is well known in nearly all European countries and even in the United States. But how did he become that famous or maybe even a label for today’s view on English humour?
In my research paper I want to point out Cleese’s significance for British Comedy and humour. At first, I would like to give a general definition of the term and at the same time look at different types of humour in order to investigate why people start grinning or laughing in certain situations. I will present some criteria which can detect different types of humour and consider humour on phonological and syntactical levels.
Then I want to work out if there is a special concept of humour in the United Kingdom and if this humour even characterises the British culture. In a next step I will compare the stereotypical concept of British and German humour to show that they are at least rated as being contradictory.
After I have shown some typical styles and techniques of the British humour, my central focus will be on John Cleese. I want to give an overview of his life and introduce people who are close to him or supported him in his career. In doing so I will also concentrate on his major achievements: e.g. Monty Python’s Flying Circus and their films and Fawlty Towers. Their popularity throughout the world is really remarkable and shows that Cleese and his friends possibly managed to broadcast a new sense of humour. I will therefore finally analyse their and particular Cleese’s share in British sense of humour.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction.
II. Aspects of English Humour
A. How to define humour.
B. Comedy and Humour in British Society.
1. British sense of humour.
2. German and English humour compared and contrasted.
III. John Cleese as a Symbol of British Humour?
A. His life.
B. His share in the British sense of humour
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This research paper aims to examine the defining characteristics of British humour and evaluate the significant role of John Cleese as an iconic figure within this cultural context. By analyzing the linguistic, social, and structural components of comedy, the study explores how humour functions as a reflection of British society and identity.
- Theoretical definition and categorization of humour types
- Linguistic and cultural analysis of the British sense of humour
- Comparative perspective between British and German humorous traditions
- Biographical and professional impact of John Cleese on comedy
- Analysis of landmark works like Monty Python and Fawlty Towers
Excerpt from the Book
A. How to define humour
The most abstract way to define humour is to look up its definition in a dictionary. The Oxford English Dictionary here says that humour is “the quality of being amusing or comic” (OALD). In this case humour is seen as a character which has been adopted by a person. But if you look at the physical effect humour causes, it can be simply defined as a “type of stimulation that tends to elicit the laughter reflex” (Encyclopædia Britannica Online). This spontaneous laughter is an automatic reflex and is produced by the coordinated contraction of 15 facial muscles in a stereotyped pattern. Thus the response of the person who is confronted with a humorous situation or utterance can be used as an indicator for the presence of this “quality” (OALD), which we call humour.
Since people do not only start to laugh in pre-defined situations which aim to be funny but also in common conversations, we need a criterion for distinguishing types or modes of humour (Alexander 9ff). Two criteria could be whether humour is conscious or unconscious and, closely linked to this parameter, if humour is intended. But in both cases one needs to specify whether the intentionality or consciousness is on the part of the speaker or hearer, because there can be indeed situations where the speaker intends to be funny and the listeners are unconscious of the fact and vice versa.
Chapter Summary
I. Introduction: This chapter outlines the scope of the study, introducing John Cleese as a focal point for understanding British humour and setting the research questions regarding cultural and linguistic definitions of comedy.
II. Aspects of English Humour: This section investigates the theoretical basis of humour, analyzing how it is constructed linguistically and culturally, and provides a comparative analysis of British versus German approaches to comedy.
III. John Cleese as a Symbol of British Humour?: This chapter explores the life and professional career of John Cleese, examining his contribution to modern comedy through his work with Monty Python and Fawlty Towers to determine his status as a cultural icon.
Keywords
British Humour, John Cleese, Comedy, Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, Satire, Linguistics, Irony, Punning, Cultural Identity, Social Commentary, Sketch Comedy, Performance, Phonological Figures, Verbal Humour
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on characterizing the British sense of humour and analyzing the significant contributions of John Cleese to this cultural phenomenon.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
The core themes include the definition and categorization of humour, the influence of British culture on comedy, a comparative study between British and German humour, and an evaluation of John Cleese’s career impact.
What is the main research objective?
The goal is to understand how humour defines British culture and to investigate how figures like John Cleese have shaped global perceptions of English comedy.
Which scientific methods are employed in the study?
The paper utilizes a qualitative analytical approach, examining humour on phonological, syntactical, and morphological levels, combined with cultural and biographical analysis.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main part covers the definition of humour, the role of media and satire in Britain, language-specific traits of wordplay, and an in-depth look at John Cleese's professional evolution.
What keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include British humour, John Cleese, Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, linguistic wordplay, satire, and cultural identity.
How does the author analyze the comparison between British and German humour?
The author highlights that while both cultures share similar genres like wordplay and ethnic jokes, British humour is often more pervasive in taboo-sensitive areas and benefits from specific linguistic features that facilitate punning.
What is the significance of the "Dead Parrot" sketch in the context of this study?
The sketch is identified as a defining moment that showcases Cleese's comedic style and the surrealist nature of Monty Python, which helped alter the landscape of international sketch comedy.
Why did John Cleese leave the Monty Python Flying Circus?
Cleese left because he felt the group was losing its originality and beginning to repeat itself, a decision he later reflected on while creating his own projects.
- Citation du texte
- Theo Tebbe (Auteur), 2007, The funny side of the United Kingdom, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/115357
