Entertainment
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| + | [[Image:Jean-Leon Gerome Pollice Verso.jpg|thumb|left|200px|This page '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is part of the ''[[bread and circuses]]'' series.<br> <small>Illustration: ''[[Pollice Verso (Gérôme)|Pollice Verso]]'' by Jean-Léon Gérôme, [[1872]]</small>]] | ||
| + | {| class="toccolours" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:30em; max-width: 40%;" cellspacing="5" | ||
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| + | "From [[Bede]]'s account of the poet [[Cædmon]], we learn that it was the practice of the [[Anglo-Saxons]] in the seventh century, at their [[entertainment]]s, for all those present to sing in their turns, each accompanying himself with a musical instrument. From the sequel of the story we are led to suppose that these songs were extemporary effusions, probably mythic legends, stories of personal adventure, praise of themselves, or [[vituperation]] of their enemies."--''[[History of Caricature and Grotesque in Literature and Art]]'' (1865) by Thomas Wright | ||
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| + | [[Image:Mona Lisa Smoking a Pipe.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''[[Mona Lisa Smoking a Pipe]]'' by [[Eugène Bataille]]]] | ||
| + | [[Image:Melodrama by Daumier.jpg|thumb|200px|right|''[[At the Theater (The Melodrama)]]'' (c. [[1860]]-[[1864|64]]) - [[Honoré Daumier]]]] | ||
| + | [[Image:The_House_of_Nonsense.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[House of Nonsense]] (1911), one of [[Blackpool]]'s [[funhouse]] [[attraction]]s]] | ||
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| {{Template}} | {{Template}} | ||
| - | '''Entertainment''' is an event, performance, or activity designed to give pleasure or [[relaxation]] to an audience (although, for example, in the case of a [[computer game]] the "audience" may be only one person). The audience may participate in the entertainment passively as in watching [[opera]], or actively as in computer games. | ||
| - | The playing of [[sports]] and reading of [[literature]] are usually included in entertainment, but these are often called [[recreation]] more specifically, because they involve some active participation beyond mere leisure. | + | '''Entertainment''' is a form of [[activity]] that holds the [[attention]] and [[interest]] of an [[audience]], or gives [[pleasure]] and [[delight]]. It can be an idea or a task, but is more likely to be one of the activities or events that have developed over thousands of years specifically for the purpose of keeping an [[audience]]'s [[attention]]. Although people's attention is held by different things, because individuals have different preferences in entertainment, most forms are recognisable and familiar. [[Storytelling]], [[music]], [[drama]], [[dance]], and different kinds of [[performance]] exist in all cultures, were supported in [[Court (royal)|royal courts]], developed into sophisticated forms and over time became available to all citizens. The process has been accelerated in modern times by an [[entertainment industry]] which records and sells entertainment products. Entertainment evolves and can be adapted to suit any scale, ranging from an individual who chooses a private entertainment from a now enormous array of pre-recorded products; to a [[banquet]] adapted for two; to any size or type of [[party]], with appropriate music and dance; to performances intended for thousands; and even for a global audience. |
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| + | The experience of being entertained has come to be strongly associated with amusement, so that one common understanding of the idea is [[fun]] and [[laughter]], although many entertainments have a serious purpose. This may be the case in the various forms of [[ceremony]], celebration, [[religious festival]], or [[satire]] for example. Hence, there is the possibility that what appears as entertainment may also be a means of achieving [[insight]] or intellectual growth. | ||
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| + | An important aspect of entertainment is the audience, which turns a private [[recreation]] or [[leisure]] activity into entertainment. The audience may have a passive role, as in the case of persons watching a [[Play (theatre)|play]], [[opera]], [[television show]], or [[film]]; or the audience role may be active, as in the case of [[game]]s, where the participant/audience roles may be routinely reversed. Entertainment can be public or private, involving formal, scripted performance, as in the case of [[theatre]] or [[concert]]s; or unscripted and spontaneous, as in the case of [[List of traditional children's games|children's games]]. Most forms of entertainment have persisted over many centuries, evolving due to changes in culture, technology, and fashion. Films and [[video game]]s, for example, although they use newer media, continue to [[storytelling|tell stories]], present drama, and play music. [[Festival]]s devoted to [[music festival|music]], [[Film festival|film]], or [[Competitive dance|dance]] allow audiences to be entertained over a number of consecutive days. | ||
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| + | Some activities that once were considered entertaining, particularly public punishments, have been removed from the public arena. Others, such as [[fencing]] or [[archery]], once necessary skills for some, have become serious [[sport]]s and even [[professional|professions]] for the participants, at the same time developing into entertainment with wider appeal for bigger audiences. In the same way, other necessary skills, such as [[cooking]], have developed into performances among professionals, staged as global competitions and then broadcast for entertainment. What is entertainment for one group or individual may be regarded as work by another. | ||
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| + | The familiar forms of entertainment have the capacity to cross over different media and have demonstrated a seemingly unlimited potential for creative [[remix]]. This has ensured the continuity and longevity of many themes, images, and structures. | ||
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| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | :''[[The Big Six]], [[The Big Four]]'' | ||
| + | * [[Body genres]] | ||
| + | * [[Entertainment during the Great Depression]] | ||
| + | * [[Entertainment in the 16th century]] | ||
| + | * [[Entertainment law]] | ||
| + | * [[Escapism]] | ||
| + | * [[History of film]] | ||
| + | * [[Humor]] | ||
| + | * [[Leisure]] | ||
| + | * [[List of basic entertainment topics]] | ||
| + | * [[List of entertainment industry topics]] | ||
| + | * [[Literature]] | ||
| + | * [[Mass media]] | ||
| + | * [[Performance art]] | ||
| + | * [[Radio programming|Radio]] | ||
| + | * [[That's Entertainment (The Jam song)]] | ||
| - | The industry that provides entertainment is called the [[entertainment industry]]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/{{PAGENAMEE}}] [Apr 2007] | + | {{GFDL}} |
Current revision
Illustration: Pollice Verso by Jean-Léon Gérôme, 1872
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"From Bede's account of the poet Cædmon, we learn that it was the practice of the Anglo-Saxons in the seventh century, at their entertainments, for all those present to sing in their turns, each accompanying himself with a musical instrument. From the sequel of the story we are led to suppose that these songs were extemporary effusions, probably mythic legends, stories of personal adventure, praise of themselves, or vituperation of their enemies."--History of Caricature and Grotesque in Literature and Art (1865) by Thomas Wright |
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Entertainment is a form of activity that holds the attention and interest of an audience, or gives pleasure and delight. It can be an idea or a task, but is more likely to be one of the activities or events that have developed over thousands of years specifically for the purpose of keeping an audience's attention. Although people's attention is held by different things, because individuals have different preferences in entertainment, most forms are recognisable and familiar. Storytelling, music, drama, dance, and different kinds of performance exist in all cultures, were supported in royal courts, developed into sophisticated forms and over time became available to all citizens. The process has been accelerated in modern times by an entertainment industry which records and sells entertainment products. Entertainment evolves and can be adapted to suit any scale, ranging from an individual who chooses a private entertainment from a now enormous array of pre-recorded products; to a banquet adapted for two; to any size or type of party, with appropriate music and dance; to performances intended for thousands; and even for a global audience.
The experience of being entertained has come to be strongly associated with amusement, so that one common understanding of the idea is fun and laughter, although many entertainments have a serious purpose. This may be the case in the various forms of ceremony, celebration, religious festival, or satire for example. Hence, there is the possibility that what appears as entertainment may also be a means of achieving insight or intellectual growth.
An important aspect of entertainment is the audience, which turns a private recreation or leisure activity into entertainment. The audience may have a passive role, as in the case of persons watching a play, opera, television show, or film; or the audience role may be active, as in the case of games, where the participant/audience roles may be routinely reversed. Entertainment can be public or private, involving formal, scripted performance, as in the case of theatre or concerts; or unscripted and spontaneous, as in the case of children's games. Most forms of entertainment have persisted over many centuries, evolving due to changes in culture, technology, and fashion. Films and video games, for example, although they use newer media, continue to tell stories, present drama, and play music. Festivals devoted to music, film, or dance allow audiences to be entertained over a number of consecutive days.
Some activities that once were considered entertaining, particularly public punishments, have been removed from the public arena. Others, such as fencing or archery, once necessary skills for some, have become serious sports and even professions for the participants, at the same time developing into entertainment with wider appeal for bigger audiences. In the same way, other necessary skills, such as cooking, have developed into performances among professionals, staged as global competitions and then broadcast for entertainment. What is entertainment for one group or individual may be regarded as work by another.
The familiar forms of entertainment have the capacity to cross over different media and have demonstrated a seemingly unlimited potential for creative remix. This has ensured the continuity and longevity of many themes, images, and structures.
See also
- Body genres
- Entertainment during the Great Depression
- Entertainment in the 16th century
- Entertainment law
- Escapism
- History of film
- Humor
- Leisure
- List of basic entertainment topics
- List of entertainment industry topics
- Literature
- Mass media
- Performance art
- Radio
- That's Entertainment (The Jam song)
