The Analysis of the Comical Factors of 'Olaf' the Snowman in Frozen - Based on the Laughter Theory of Henri Bergson

Abstract

From various media, animation is one of the media where the laughter effect can be the greatest. There are many reasons for the good production of the animation “Frozen” but I have focused mainly on the “laughter effect”. Laughter is a main technique in communication and a persuasive way to give interest to the information. There are many theories by theorists on laughter and humor but on the basis of ‘Le Rire’ by Henri Louis Bergson, the Frozen had been applied to the laughter theory and one of the characters who had given a lot of laughter, the snowman, Olaf had been analyzed for its comical elements. Bergson had stated that there is no comical aspect if it is outside the boundaries of being humane, no emotional aspects should accompany laughter and that comedy should appeal for common sense. Olaf, the snowman, had been created through magic in the film and with the humane expressions and exaggerated movements it was shown to be more human-like and the situation of non-reality of being created by magic has left us in a spectator state, where it was accepted as common sense. Additionally, it was a character of good will which met the socially reasonable requests. Bergson had also categorized the types of laughter by shape, movement, situation, word/speech and personality, therefore laughter effect of ‘Olaf’ can be analyzed in these 5 types of laughter. The laughter effect of ‘Olaf’ had been analyzed on the types of laughter theory from many years back and has confirmed that even a newly created character had conformed in the types for character personality and design.