Humor and National Catharsis in Roberto Cossa's El saludador
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17161/latr.v36i1.1391Keywords:
Specific Literature, Argentinian literature, Time Period, 1900-1999, Subject Author, Cossa, Roberto M. (1934- ), Subject Work, El saludador (1999), Literary Genre, drama, Literary Technique, humor, Literary Theme, (treatment of) protagonist, (as) surrogatAbstract
This article examines humor in Roberto Cossa’s El saludador and proposes that, through his unique blend of comic forms, the playwright manipulates audience reaction and provokes catharsis in his spectators. Cossa creates a comic protagonist who is a surrogate for the Argentine nation. Through their identification with the humorous protagonist/nation, spectators can consider their own reaction to the abuses the nation has suffered or self-imposed. Unlike earlier Cossa plays, which may have impeded audience catharsis, the spectator/protagonist/nation identification in El saludador promotes catharsis through audience laughter and allows spectators to purge themselves of economic and political fears in the aftermath of recent events in Argentina’s history. (GB)Metrics
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Published
2002-09-01
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All items © The Center of Latin American Studies and Caribbean Studies, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, U.S.A. Authors: If you prefer to remove your text(s) from this database please contact Dr. Stuart A. Day (day@ku.edu)
How to Cite
Bulman, Gail A. “Humor and National Catharsis in Roberto Cossa’s El Saludador”. Latin American Theatre Review, vol. 36, no. 1, Sept. 2002, pp. 5-18, https://doi.org/10.17161/latr.v36i1.1391.