Semiotics of Clowns and Clowning

During the last 300 years circus clowns have emerged as powerful cultural icons. This is the first semiotic analysis of the range of make-up and costumes through which the clowns'' performing identities have been established and go on developing. It also examines what Bouissac terms ''micronarratives'' - narrative meanings that clowns generate through their acts, dialogues and gestures.

Putting a...