« Rire et faire rire de la guerre : Kaamelott (M6, 2005-2010) ou la mise à distance du conflit »

Abstract

The French TV series Kaamelott (M6, 2005-2010) seems to solve the paradox of representing never ending wars and a culture of violence through a light and humorous tone, which is characteristic of this short comic program for the whole family. This series of medieval inspiration develops a constant martial theme, but tones it down by a comical aesthetic and structure. Through the story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, Kaamelott consists in a parody and proposes a burlesque point of view on both warfare and the armies’ role. Arthurian military power is mainly developed in a humoristic way. Thus, war is the very heart of the series but is never directly pictured: through linguistic and thematic diversions, laughter and ridicule substitute themselves to the context of military violence. Consequently, Kaamelott underlines the fact that creating comedy while representing war necessarily implies a diversion from conflict, a desacralization of a superficial and suggested violence.

Keywords

• Kaamelott
• war
• King Arthur
• Arthurian legend
• laughter
• humor