Playwrights and Sexual Humor
Playwrights have always used sexual humor as a tool to challenge societal and cultural taboos, but how exactly do they achieve this feat? Let's look at some examples from history and modern times to answer that question.
In Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure", Isabella is pressured into sleeping with Angelo, a judge who has sentenced her brother to death. She refuses, saying it would be immoral, but he insists. This scene brings up themes of power dynamics, consent, and gender inequality. By making light of these serious issues, Shakespeare shows his audience that even those in positions of authority can be flawed and petty. The play also explores the idea that sexual relationships are often motivated by more than just physical attraction, which was considered scandalous at the time.
Fast forward to present day, and playwright Lin Manuel Miranda tackles similar topics in "Hamilton". In one scene, Angelica Schuyler sings about wanting Hamilton to impregnate her, while also revealing her past love life and desires. This scene challenges traditional ideas of female sexuality and virginity, showing that women can be both sexual and empowered. It also highlights the fact that people of all genders can enjoy sex outside of marriage or commitment.
Another example comes from Sarah Ruhl's "The Clean House". The main character Luisa is a cleaning lady who is more interested in sex than housekeeping, which leads to conflict with her husband. Throughout the play, she explores her own sexuality, including fantasies about being a porn star and having threesomes. This subversion of traditional gender roles and sexual norms encourages audiences to question their assumptions about what is acceptable behavior.
Challenging Taboos through Humor
Sexual humor allows playwrights to explore difficult subjects without preaching or lecturing. By creating characters who defy expectations, they encourage us to think critically about our own beliefs and values.
Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" uses wit and wordplay to expose hypocrisy and double standards in Victorian society. His protagonist, Algernon Moncrieff, engages in multiple affairs and mocks social conventions, leading audiences to question why certain behaviors are seen as immoral or shameful.
Playwrights have also used sexual humor to challenge societal taboos around race, class, and disability. In Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun", Mama reveals that she was once engaged in an interracial relationship before marrying Walter Lee, challenging racial divisions in America at the time. David Henry Hwang's "M. Butterfly" features a man who becomes infatuated with his male Chinese lover, highlighting cultural differences and queer identities. Similarly, Tony Kushner's "Angels in America" features several LGBTQ+ characters who face discrimination and marginalization due to their sexuality, pushing boundaries even further.
These examples demonstrate how playwrights can use sexual humor to challenge societal and cultural taboos by subverting norms, exploring complex issues, and encouraging critical thinking. Through their artistry, they ask us to reconsider what is acceptable and what isn't, creating thought-provoking conversations around sex, sexuality, and relationships.
How do playwrights use sexual humor to challenge societal and cultural taboos?
Sexual humor is a common theme in plays that have been written throughout history. Playwrights use it to explore various themes and ideas related to sex, including the role of gender norms and expectations within society. Through their characters' actions and interactions with one another, playwrights can challenge these norms and bring attention to how they may be harmful to individuals who do not fit into them.