Monty Python vs Jára (da) Cimrman (A Study od Some Aspects of Humour from the 1960s Onwards)

Mgr. Tereza Janáčková

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

This thesis is discusses notable phenomena of comedy that arose the 1960s: Monty Python and Jára (da) Cimrman. The two concerned “cults” do not bear a direct reference only to the then state of society and on-going events but they depict the elementary issues common for every human being. It offers a general introduction and comparison of the two. Its aim is not to present deep analysis of their production but to compare and contrast the two phenomena in as many aspects as possible and suggest potential explanations for both the similarities and the differences between the two. There are several reasons for preferring MP and JC to other notable projects of the time. The first and the most important reason is their influence on Czech culture and society. Some of the main questions solved in this thesis are why is it possible that Monty Python humour, so obviously based on a British tradition of comedy, could gain such enormous popularity in such a little mid-European country as is the Czech Republic. This question will be answered by means of comparing and contrasting Monty Python with Jára (da) Cimrman cult that arose from Czech culture and therefore “inherited” its significant characteristics. The comparison itself poses another question and that is how are the two phenomena similar, to what extent and most importantly, how is the similarity possible when both developed under utterly different socio-political circumstances. The first section of the thesis is therefore devoted to a brief description of the 1960s, in which both phenomena emerged. Although both of the projects concerned lasted more than a single decade and Jára (da) Cimrman Theatre (hereafter JCT) even preserved to the present day, the sixties shaped the two more than any other following decades. I would like to list the most important events of the decade and also provide information basis for the analytical section. The second and the two following sections are devoted to introduction of both MP and JCT. My aim is to provide information basis for working hypothesises and possible conclusions presented in the next chapter. The sections are for the most part descriptive, because they are meant to offer the basic facts and sort them out into a clearly structured overview. Unfortunately, there are no official translations of the Czech texts, so I was obliged to translate some parts of the Jára Cimrman Theatre texts for the sake of comparison carried out in this thesis. Section six: ‘Comparison’ is designed to interpret some of the similarities and differences between the two groups concerned. It explores some of the most notable aspects and focuses on such features as university influence, working methods and topics covered in their works. Each subsection refers to both MP and JCT, which may seem rather confusing but in my opinion, such structure is necessary for the main purpose of the section, i.e. highlighting similarities and differences and possible reasons that formed them. The following section shall close the whole thesis by stating and explaining the output of the thesis. The very last section attached to the main part of the thesis lists appendices that are included in order to provide extra information and offer deeper insight into what has actually been discussed.

Keywords

Monty Python, Jára Cimrman, Humour, Parody

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 29. 8. 2007

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 12. 9. 2007
• Supervisor: Ph.D. Stephen Paul Hardy

Masaryk University

Faculty of Arts

Bachelor programme / field:
Humanities / English Language and Literature