While I agree that the characteristics of slapstick include physicality, exaggeration, make believe and ritual, I wonder if violence is really embodied in all slapstick. I think that there are clear instances where violence is a pivotal element (Three Stooges, Looney Tunes, Monty Python). In other instances, conflict seems to be more pervasive. The Marx Brothers historically pit class against class ( any Marx brother against Margaret Dumont). Chaplin also embraces conflict (Tramp vs. police in his silent films, Tramp vs industrialization in Modern Times, etc).
What is Slapstick? A Discussion of Definitions
in OUCH! A Salute to Slapstick
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While I agree that the characteristics of slapstick include physicality, exaggeration, make believe and ritual, I wonder if violence is really embodied in all slapstick. I think that there are clear instances where violence is a pivotal element (Three Stooges, Looney Tunes, Monty Python). In other instances, conflict seems to be more pervasive. The Marx Brothers historically pit class against class ( any Marx brother against Margaret Dumont). Chaplin also embraces conflict (Tramp vs. police in his silent films, Tramp vs industrialization in Modern Times, etc).