Essays
Once Upon a Time in the West Ben Tarnoff explains how a simple story about a man and his talented frog made Mark Twain a national celebrity. More Essays
Essays
Split Personalities Is it a condition of comic genius to be always wrestling with demons? Andrew McConnell Stott on the history of the sad clown. More EssaysConversations
Sticks and Stones "For we laugh not only at actions and sayings that are witty and pleasant but such as are stupid, passionate, and cowardly." Quintilian minces words, while Joan Rivers doesn't hold back. More ConversationsVoices in Time
1777: Toilet Humor Sleep with peace in mind, and try to kiss your own behind. More Voices in Time
Jests and scoffs do lessen majesty and greatness and should be far from great personages and men of wisdom.
—Henry Peacham, 1622
- Audio & Video
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LQ Podcast:
Daniil Kharms Whether tossing old women out of windows or tearing strangers’ heads off for no discernible reason, the stories of Russian surrealist Daniil Kharms are some of the Comedy issue’s strangest.
- Eponym
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Lewis H. Lapham
is Editor of Lapham's Quarterly. He also serves as editor emeritus and national correspondent for Harper's magazine.
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Your face, my thane, is a book where men / May read strange matters ...
— William Shakespeare
