Laughter and curiosity

Channels of transgressiona in The Name of the Rose.

Abstract

This article aims to investigate the relationship between interdiction and transgression in Umberto Eco´s novel The Name of the Rose, aiming to expose that the bond that ties them is formed through dependence. It also seeks to analyze laughter and curiosity as the channels through which transgression manifests itself in face of the imposed bans in Eco’s fiction, not as a way of denying, but of overcoming them, thus, enhancing them. It is understood thar laughter as excess appears in the novel as ecstasy, experience, dissent and death, while curiosity as transgression occur as a result of the first interdiction, that of laughter, and it is evaluated as both studiositas and curiositas. It is considered, yet, that both channels of excess lead to death and destruction, highlighting the danger to the homogeneous world. The theoretical approach of tis article is mainly composed by the works of Georges Bataille, with the support of Alberto Manguel and Georges Minois.