Humour is without doubt a vital element of the human condition but it has rarely been the subject of serious historical research. Yet a closer look at jokes and

This handbook addresses the methodological problems and theoretical challenges that arise in attempting to understand and represent humour in specific historica

The book is intended to provide a definitive view of the field of humor research for both beginning and established scholars in a variety of fields who are deve

A compelling guide to the fundamental place of humour and comedy within Western culture—by one of its greatest exponents Written by an acknowledged master of

Humour has been discovered in every known human culture and thinkers have discussed it for over two thousand years. Humour can serve many functions; it can be u