The Comediography of Law
Abstract
Quintilian suggests that law be learned in significant part a comicis, from the usages, customs and comedies of everyday life. Starting out from the theatrical and foundational form of a legal dialogue between sovereign and philosopher on pedagogy, the body, letters and images, this chapter examines the fabrication of common law in terms of what the barrister Blount coined as comediography (comœdiographus). In whirl and jig, lawyers and playwrights of comedies share a trajectory from conflict to resolution, disruption to decision, that provides a harmonious conclusion for the audience if not necessarily the actors.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Law in Society and Culture
Theatre and Performance Studies
Renaissance Literature and Culture
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Cambridge University Press eBooks
- Pages
- 193–212
- Publication date
- 27 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter