ABSTRACT
Humor is defined as any element of a work of art whose intention is to cause the reader or viewer to be amused, even to laugh, whether aloud or silently. Subsets of humor include, though are not limited to, satire, slapstick, and punning. Since what is now known as slapstick is a basic genre of humor, an attempt at defining Bunyan's imaginary must therefore take into account his renditions, or lack of such, of scenes of physical violence. For the martyr, the main value of the act was its role in predicting his or her final salvation. Faithful is expected to speak out bravely, and then complimented for having done so. Laughter serves a dramatic purpose even, or perhaps especially, when counterpoised with tears. The story of Jesus's trial and death contains the main themes found in later depictions of martyrdom.
