Laughter and Narrative in the Later Middle Ages: German Comic Tales c.1350-1525 [Hardback]

In contrast to the vernacular literary traditions of France, Italy and England, comic tales in verse flourished in late medieval Germany, providing bawdy entertainment for larger audiences of public recitals as well as for smaller numbers of individual readers. In a sustained close analysis, Sebastian Coxon explores both the narrative design and fundamental thematic preoccupations of these short texts. A distinctively performative tradition of pre-modern narrative literature emerges which invites its recipients to think, learn and above all to laugh in a number of different ways.

"...an excellent study that undoubtedly advances our understanding of laughter and its functions in the past.'"
Sophia Menache, University of Haifa
The Medieval Review (09.09.18)

"As the first comprehensive study of late-medieval German comic tales, this study is a useful resource for medievalists. [...] the catalog of individual motifs and structures provides categories that can be used to approach any number of short comic narratives, and the inclusion of visual images is a welcome perspective (the book includes eight plates of manuscript illustrations or woodcuts). Scholars of German literature will appreciate the comprehensive references to key studies by other Germanists, and less adept readers of Middle High German will value the excellent translations.'"
Lisa Perfetti, Muhlenberg College
Speculum (July 2010)