Date of Award
2018
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Humanities
First Advisor
Shaw, Carl
Area of Concentration
Classics
Abstract
The first ‘joke book’ was the Ancient Greek text Philogelos. It was composed in fourth century Rome, circulated over the course of several centuries, and remains largely intact in the modern day. As a peripheral text, it has been the subject of only sporadic research, translation, commentary and analysis until the later half of the twentieth century. This thesis offers a complete English translation of the Greek text with brief contextual and cultural commentary, as well as a historical overview of Greek and Roman humorous expression. The subject matter of the Philogelos bears resemblance to the social comedy of Greek New Comedy and Roman drama. The formulaic nature of the jokes is remarkably similar to modern jokes, even to the point of direct parallel. Punchlines include familiar forms such as wordplay, puns, innuendo, understatement, self-contradictory statements, and slapstick.
Recommended Citation
McCabe, Annie, "YOU’VE GOT TO BE JOKING: AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE PHILOGELOS" (2018). Theses & ETDs. 5561.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/5561