Research Information System
Nobel Yayınevi, Ankara, 2020
In the world swarming with such issues like wars,
ecological disasters, and lack of fresh water, famine, child labour and death,
gender hierarchies, and serial murderer viruses, maybe the only thing that
helps people endure and survive is humour. Humour is an indispensable element
of a human life. It is, indeed, some kind of a cure for human beings’ survival
in a desolate world replete with grand issues that harm people psychologically
and spiritually.
Being aware of humour’s potential strength to change
people’s mood, ancient Greek philosophers, literary critics, poets and writers from
all ages conceptualised and employed humour in their works. The aim of this
study is to provide a brief overview of the concept of humour throughout ages
from ancient eras to the modern day. Furthermore, it provides some examples of
literary works from English and Russian literature and scrutinises various
tools and functions of humour in these works.
A versatile poet of the Restoration period and an heir
to Milton’s talents, John Dryden (1631-1700) exhibits his confidence in an
employment of humour in his works. Dryden draws political portraits through his
refined technique and supreme control of verses.
Russian literature cannot be defined without Anton
Chekhov (1860-1904), an unfortunate doctor with a great talent to produce short
stories and plays. Although Chekhov’s plays have become milestones in realist
theatre in the West, his most memorable contribution to Russian literature was
his prose fiction. Despite the framework of social issues in his short stories,
Chekhov appears to entertain readers by his unprecedented ability to convey his
sense of humour.
Goaded by the restricted condition of denigrated women
in her community and throughout the world, Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) addresses
the whole world by aspiring to represent women’s voices. Despite the pervading
hue of feminism and depression in her works, Woolf sometimes includes a breath
of humour in some of her works.