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The Birth of Comedy
Take the topical satire of Have I Got News For You and mix thoroughly with the adolescent humour of The Inbetweeners, add in a healthy dose of Monty Python-esque absurdity and finish off with lashings of songs and dances. Then serve it all up to a baying crowd in an atmosphere more like a football match than a theatre stage. Welcome to the world of Aristophanes, ‘the father of comedy’. The rise of democracy in ancient Greece produced one of the greatest ever flowerings of culture and gave birth to history, philosophy, science … and fart gags. Theatre first appeared in Athens 2,500 years ago to educate and entertain the growing audience of citizens. However Greek theatre wasn’t a quiet entertainment but a rowdy, competitive sport involving teams of performers battling each other for prizes.
Listen nowThe Birth of ComedyLevel: 1 Introductory
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Contesting power through satire
Explore the use of satire from Classical Greece through to 2013 with this interactive timeline.
Take part nowContesting power through satireLevel: 1 Introductory
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Why Do We Love To Laugh?
Stand up comedienne Jenny Éclair says she was ‘born to make people laugh’. These days, as one of Britain’s best known comedy actresses she’s an expert on what makes us laugh – but she’s always wondered why we laugh - Ever Wondered sent her to find out if laughter really is the best medicine
Read nowWhy Do We Love To Laugh?Level: 1 Introductory
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What is emotive language and why is it used?
Nigel Warburton helps us grapple with the nuts and bolts of thinking clearly, with the aim of presenting good, clear, logical arguments - in order to achieve your desired effects.
Read nowWhat is emotive language and why is it used?Level: 1 Introductory
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What is language?: an applied linguistic perspective
This free course, What is language?: an applied linguistic perspective, serves as an introduction to the discipline of applied linguistics. It examines what is meant by 'language', what its main characteristics are, and how human language differs from communication between other animals. It also asks whether theoretical knowledge about language can be applied to professional practice.
Learn moreWhat is language?: an applied linguistic perspectiveLevel: 3 Advanced
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