I'm in a Shakespeare class right now and we are discussing comedies in general, as well as Shakespearean comedies. Four hundred years ago, Shakespeare was making fart jokes, though today they slip right by (pardon the pun) because Elizabethan English is so different.
So, the question was raised: Are fart jokes universal?
My position is yes, because they must be genetic, because if you even say the word you smile, or giggle, or worse, depending on the context.
So, what do you think? I'm polling this for my class.
And if you are curious about Elizabethan English, here's the Hokey Pokey, done Shakespeare style...
O proud left foot, that ventures quick within Then soon upon a backward journey lithe.
Anon, once more the gesture, then begin:
Command sinistral pedestal to writhe.
Commence thou then the fervid Hokey-Poke.
A mad gyration, hips in wanton swirl.
To spin! A wilde release from heaven's yoke.
Blessed dervish! Surely canst go, girl.
The Hoke, the poke -- banish now thy doubt.
Verily, I say, 'tis what it's all about.
Comments
It's just a question posed, because they were finding humor of it in Shakespeare 400 years ago,
Cheryl, you sure that is the topic?...hmmm
Shakespeare will always be awesome! He had a devilish way to put things and the symbolism's he used were difficult at times. Have a great time in this class as you will learn much if it is taught right! :)
The bodily function is universal, the reactions.....not so much. Depends on who you are interacting with, the social setting, the familiarity of those around. It seems to have always been considered uncouth and rude in most public settings. Pretty sure the pharaohs were allowed to go put put where ever they liked as well as the ceasars....
By the way I love the way Shakespear puts things....I took a class maybe 13 years ago and simply loved it.... enjoy yourself.
I don't even like that word and would never use it. times were vastly different then. it is all a part of what we call here building site humor, many are so encased in the lower mind, we all are to some degree, that over identification with the body is the result and we form humor around its natural processes. . we all fall into this at times, , we are all human. I prefer to keep all this in the lower mind, and make a demarcation between it and ones outside , worldly existence. however if one is to follow Elizabethan mores and morals one has to set aside certain things shall we say, differences in the present day. Shakespeare was a highly evolved person, an initiate as some say, in Occult circles, in the company of Francis Bacon, and maybe even John Dee. many practiced the masonic traditions and occult arts in those days as many do today. as to whether Shakespeare actually wrote all his plays attributed to him, we may never know. that they are works of profoundity and beauty, barring certain bawdiness, there an be no doubt. who ever wrote them was a genius, divinely inspired. the sonnets are superb, though it is many many years since I read his works
Oh, gawd! At 1:05 a.m., I have to read that and start laughing....... aaaaaaaahhhhhhh!
Can that law be imposed here?
;-D