Duck Soup Assignment

This classic is a hallmark of the zany and outlandish comedic style that certainly influenced Mel Brooks and the creators of the Monty Python films. No social convention or human behavior is immune from the absurdity of the Marx Brothers' verbal and visual humor. Using buffoonery to show a lack of respect for political institutions was very controversial in its day, particularly since the world was beset by the economic crisis of the Great Depression in 1933. Many people saw the resulting rise of fascism in German and Italy as a solution to potential social and political anarchy. Mussolini thought the film was an insult to his power and banned its showing. The Marx Brothers absurd, anarchical humor and cynicism quickly deflate human pompousness. Every pretension is fair game for a ruthless commentary about life's absurdities.

Some questions to consider:

An interesting but abstract question is: What makes this film funny? Pick a particular scene, describe it, and then try to determine why you laugh. What are the kinds of comic devices and types of humor that are used? Near the end of the film, you will notice that Rufus wears a different uniform in almost every scene. Why? What are some of the effronteries (look it up) that the film explores? Pick one of the characters in the film. Describe him or her and comment on the type of humor that is presented. This could also be analyzed in terms of paired characters. One character is the provocateur (jokester) and the other is the "straight man or woman". Comment on the use of puns. Can you give any examples? What does the film say about the human condition. Why is humor so important to us? What is satire and can you give an example in the film? What are some purposes of satire? Why is satire often the darkest form of comedy?

Rufus T. Firefly, the leader of Freedonia, is deep in thought.