In a grand tour of comic theatre over the centuries, Erich Segal traces the evolution of the classical form from its early origins in a misogynistic quip by the sixth-century BC Susarion, through countless weddings and happy endings, to the exasperated monosyllables of Samuel Beckett. The book illustrates comedy's glorious life cycle from its first breath to its death in the Theater of the Absurd. An exploration of various landmarks in the history of a genre that flourished almost unchanged for two millennia, "The Death of ...
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In a grand tour of comic theatre over the centuries, Erich Segal traces the evolution of the classical form from its early origins in a misogynistic quip by the sixth-century BC Susarion, through countless weddings and happy endings, to the exasperated monosyllables of Samuel Beckett. The book illustrates comedy's glorious life cycle from its first breath to its death in the Theater of the Absurd. An exploration of various landmarks in the history of a genre that flourished almost unchanged for two millennia, "The Death of Comedy" revisits the obscenities and raucous twists of Aristophanes, the neighbourly pleasantries of Menander, the tomfoolery and farce of Plautus. Segal shows how the ribaldry of foiled adultery, a staple of Roman comedy, reappears in force on the stages of Restoration England. And he gives us a closer look at the schadenfreude - delight in someone else's misfortune - that marks Machiavelli's and Marlowe's works. At every turn in Segal's analysis - from Shakespeare to Moliere to Shaw - another facet of the comic art emerges, until finally, he argues, "the head conquers and the heart dies": Letting the intellect take the lead, Cocteau, Ionesco, and Beckett smother comedy as we know it.
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Add this copy of The Death of Comedy to cart. $2.36, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Harvard University Press.
Add this copy of The Death of Comedy to cart. $2.36, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Austell, GA, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Harvard University Press.
Add this copy of The Death of Comedy to cart. $5.99, good condition, Sold by St. Vinnie's Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Eugene, OR, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Harvard University Press.
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Seller's Description:
Good. FORMER LIBRARY COPY. Former Library book. hardcover This item shows wear from consistent use but remains in good readable condition. It may have marks on or in it, and may show other signs of previous use or shelf wear. May have minor creases or signs of wear on dust jacket. Packed with care, shipped promptly.
Add this copy of The Death of Comedy to cart. $8.74, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Emerald rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Harvard University Press.
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Add this copy of The Death of Comedy to cart. $9.00, fair condition, Sold by Midtown Scholar Bookstore rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Harrisburg, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Harvard University Press.
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Fair. This is a damaged book. May be ex-library, water-damaged, or spine creased/broken. Acceptable, Reading copy only, with writing/markings and heavy wear. Standard-sized.
Add this copy of The Death of Comedy to cart. $17.18, very good condition, Sold by Books From California rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Simi Valley, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Harvard University Press.
Add this copy of The Death of Comedy to cart. $18.00, very good condition, Sold by Dave Wilhelm Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Evanston, IL, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Harvard University Press.
Add this copy of The Death of Comedy to cart. $20.00, very good condition, Sold by Printed Garden, Booksellers rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Sandy, UT, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Harvard University Press.
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NF in NF jacket. Octavo. Light brown boards quarterbound in a slightly darker brown cloth backstrip with black lettering on the spine. Book has a very faint bump at the head and tail of the spine. Light brown endpapers. Binding is straight and tight. Pages are all clean, white, and crisp. 589 pages. Dust Jacket has a nearly unnoticable trace of rubbing at the extreme tip of the upper rear outside corner-jacket is otherwise all clean, bright, and sharp. Heavier than average book will require additional postage for orders requesting International or Priority shipping services. A lovely copy!
Add this copy of The Death of Comedy to cart. $31.14, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Harvard University Press.
Add this copy of The Death of Comedy to cart. $98.62, new condition, Sold by GridFreed rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from North Las Vegas, NV, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Harvard University Press.
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