Laughter: An Essay on the Meaning of the Comic

"Laughter: An Essay on the Meaning of the Comic" is Henri Bergson’s treatise on comedy. Bergson makes three essential observations about laughter and comedy. Firstly that comedy is necessarily a human thing, secondly that laughter is a cerebral thing that requires detachment from the subject in order to laugh at it, and lastly that laughter plays an important social function. This interesting examination of what makes us laugh and why is a compelling and quick read, a must for any budding comedian or any one else seeking a greater understanding of humour.