Abstract

CORREA, Soledad. El humor como estrategia de cortesía positiva en De oratore, 2. 216-90. Argos [online]. 2009, vol.32, n.2, pp.133-145. ISSN 1853-6379.

In spite of their unquestionable elements of idealization, critics have pointed out the importance of De oratore as a source for the study of the Roman aristocracy's social practices. The analysis of one of the basic resources of "positive courtesy" - i.e. humor - in the excursus de ridiculis shows that it is presented as a powerful catalyst for social intercourse. As long as it fits to some sort of "laughable ethics", humor would be a key factor in creating solidarity among elite members, whose relationships present, as a rule, a strong agonistic slant.

Keywords : Cicero; Pragmatics; Politeness; Humor; Laughable ethics.

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