Difference between revisions of "Clown"
m (Text replacement - "http://nordan.daynal.org" to "https://nordan.daynal.org") |
m (Text replacement - "http://" to "https://") |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
probably of Low German [[origin]]; akin to Frisian klönne clumsy fellow, [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English] clyne lump of metal | probably of Low German [[origin]]; akin to Frisian klönne clumsy fellow, [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English] clyne lump of metal | ||
| − | *[ | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1563] |
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
*1: [[farmer]], countryman | *1: [[farmer]], countryman | ||
| − | *2: a rude ill-bred [[person]] : [ | + | *2: a rude ill-bred [[person]] : [https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boor boor] |
*3:a : a [[fool]], jester, or comedian in an [[entertainment]] (as a [[play]]); specifically : a [[grotesque]]ly dressed [[comedy]] performer in a circus | *3:a : a [[fool]], jester, or comedian in an [[entertainment]] (as a [[play]]); specifically : a [[grotesque]]ly dressed [[comedy]] performer in a circus | ||
:b : a person who habitually jokes and plays the buffoon | :b : a person who habitually jokes and plays the buffoon | ||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | '''Clowns''' are [[comic]] performers stereotypically characterized by the [[grotesque]] image of the circus clown's colored wigs, stylistic makeup, outlandish [[costumes]], unusually large footwear, and red nose, which [[evolved]] to project their [[actions]] to large [[audiences]]. Other less [[grotesque]] styles have also [[developed]], including theatre, television, and film clowns. [ | + | '''Clowns''' are [[comic]] performers stereotypically characterized by the [[grotesque]] image of the circus clown's colored wigs, stylistic makeup, outlandish [[costumes]], unusually large footwear, and red nose, which [[evolved]] to project their [[actions]] to large [[audiences]]. Other less [[grotesque]] styles have also [[developed]], including theatre, television, and film clowns. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Berger Peter Berger] writes that "It seems [[plausible]] that [[folly]] and fools, like [[religion]] and [[magic]], meet some deeply rooted needs in [[human]] [[society]]". For this reason, clowning is often considered an important part of [[training]] as a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_theatre physical performance] [[discipline]], partly because tricky subject matter can be dealt with, but also because it requires a high level of [[risk]] and [[play]] in the performer. |
| − | The term [ | + | The term [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coulrophobia coulrophobia] has been coined to describe those [[individuals]] who report a [[fear]] of clowns. |
==History of Clowns== | ==History of Clowns== | ||
| − | The most ancient clowns have been found in the [ | + | The most ancient clowns have been found in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_dynasty_of_Egypt Fifth dynasty of Egypt], around 2400 BCE. Contrary to [[court]] jests, clowns have [[traditional]]ly served a socio-[[religious]] and [[psychological]] role, and traditionally the role of [[priest]] and clown have been held by the same [[persons]]. |
Clowning was [[developed]] from a broad [[tradition]] of historical performances, and it is [[difficult]] to point out a singular tradition or even a few different ones as being the primary precursors to clowns. However there are a few past prominent forms of [[entertainment]] contemporarily linked to clowning as its possible antecedents. | Clowning was [[developed]] from a broad [[tradition]] of historical performances, and it is [[difficult]] to point out a singular tradition or even a few different ones as being the primary precursors to clowns. However there are a few past prominent forms of [[entertainment]] contemporarily linked to clowning as its possible antecedents. | ||
| − | Examples of historical, clown-like comedic performers have been the [ | + | Examples of historical, clown-like comedic performers have been the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantomime pantomimus] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greece ancient Greece], the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazzi Lazzi] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commedia_dell%27Arte Commedia dell'Arte], bouffons, court [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jester jesters], as well as the French [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mime mime] tradition. On top of this there are many non-European clowning traditions (including clown-like figures in Japanese [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabuki Kabuki] theatre), North American native [[shaman]] traditions to consider which may or may not have [[influenced]] what we now think of as a clown in the Western world.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clown] |
[[Category: Theatre]] | [[Category: Theatre]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:43, 12 December 2020
Origin
probably of Low German origin; akin to Frisian klönne clumsy fellow, Old English clyne lump of metal
Definitions
- 1: farmer, countryman
- 2: a rude ill-bred person : boor
- 3:a : a fool, jester, or comedian in an entertainment (as a play); specifically : a grotesquely dressed comedy performer in a circus
- b : a person who habitually jokes and plays the buffoon
- c : joker
Description
Clowns are comic performers stereotypically characterized by the grotesque image of the circus clown's colored wigs, stylistic makeup, outlandish costumes, unusually large footwear, and red nose, which evolved to project their actions to large audiences. Other less grotesque styles have also developed, including theatre, television, and film clowns. Peter Berger writes that "It seems plausible that folly and fools, like religion and magic, meet some deeply rooted needs in human society". For this reason, clowning is often considered an important part of training as a physical performance discipline, partly because tricky subject matter can be dealt with, but also because it requires a high level of risk and play in the performer.
The term coulrophobia has been coined to describe those individuals who report a fear of clowns.
History of Clowns
The most ancient clowns have been found in the Fifth dynasty of Egypt, around 2400 BCE. Contrary to court jests, clowns have traditionally served a socio-religious and psychological role, and traditionally the role of priest and clown have been held by the same persons.
Clowning was developed from a broad tradition of historical performances, and it is difficult to point out a singular tradition or even a few different ones as being the primary precursors to clowns. However there are a few past prominent forms of entertainment contemporarily linked to clowning as its possible antecedents.
Examples of historical, clown-like comedic performers have been the pantomimus in ancient Greece, the Lazzi of Commedia dell'Arte, bouffons, court jesters, as well as the French mime tradition. On top of this there are many non-European clowning traditions (including clown-like figures in Japanese Kabuki theatre), North American native shaman traditions to consider which may or may not have influenced what we now think of as a clown in the Western world.[1]
