Nature and Significance of Play as a Cultural Phenomenon by J. Huizinga
Objective
The main purpose of this article is to explain the meaning of play. According to the author play is a significant function that transcends the immediate needs of life and imparts meaning to the action. Play goes beyond being a purely physical or biological activity.
Forms of play
- Simple form: dogs playing with each other
- Developed form: regular contests and performances in front of the public
Biological Functions of Play
- Relaxing
- Discharges energy
- Imitative instinct
- Training for work later on in life
- Exercise for need of restraint
- Fulfills desire to dominate and compete
- Outlet of harmful impulses
- Gives personal value
- Wish-fulfillment
- Restores energy
Problem with Defining Play though these Biological Functions
- They all talk about the cause or intention underlying the action of play. They don’t talk about what is “at play” when play occurs
- They overlap and do not exclude each other. You can agree with almost all of the biological functions of play without having contradictions
- The questions regarding what is the fun of playing and why do crowds get so riled up by a sporting match are left unanswered with these explanations.
Play has tension, mirth (gladness or gaiety as shown by or accompanied with laughter), and fun.
The Fun Element of Play
- Resists all logical interpretation or analysis but yet characterizes the essence of play.
- No other modern language has the exact equivalent of the English word “fun”
- Play can’t be denied but things like justice, beauty, truth, goodness, mind and God can be denied.
- Play is not matter and is irrational. It goes beyond a physical or mechanical need. We know when we play
Play Before Culture
- Play is older than culture.
- Play is present everywhere. “The incidence of play is not associated with any particular stage of civilization or view of the universe”
- Play has a social function
- Language and play are connected as seen in the use of metaphors which play on words to express and describe life and objects in it.Pure play is one of the main bases of civilization. Play and culture are interwoven.
Play and Seriousness, Laughter, and Comic
- Play can go back and forth across the line of what is serious
- Humans laugh but animals don’t, yet they both play
- “In itself play is not comical either for the player or public”
- Play has no moral function
Play and Aesthetic Beauty
- Play has some elements of beauty.
- However, play can not be defined solely through aesthetic qualities. Aesthetic qualities are like the biological functions of play; they are a part of play but do not define it.
1st Characteristics of Formal Play: Free
- Play is a voluntary activity
- Because we enjoy play we tend to think we need it but we don’t. It is done at leisure
- An exception is when play is a cultural function. Then there is an obligation or duty to play.
2nd Characteristic: Not Ordinary or Real Life
- You consciously enter another world when you play.
- The other pretend world can be serious.
- Example of child pretending to be a train while his father interrupts him at play. The child knows he is pretending to be a train but still takes the situation seriously
- “Play turns to seriousness and seriousness to play”
- Play is an integral part of life, not just a break from the real world.
- Does not contradict with play being voluntary because play is not a necessity for life. It just makes life better.
3rd Characteristic: Secluded and Limited
- Play has certain limits of time and place (arena, stage, table)
- Once played it is treasured as a memory
- Inside its designated area, play creates or is order
- Order found in play can be aesthetically pleasing
Tension in Play
- In play there is some objective. Tension is uncertainty of whether the player at play will accomplish what he or she wants. Examples range kicking a fieldgoal in football to finishing a jigsaw puzzle.
- The amount of tension increases with competition because it produces more intense emotions.
- Tension tests a player’s courage, tenacity, resources, and his belief in fairness.
- “The rules of a game are absolutely binding and allow no doubt”
- Player who ignores the rules is a “spoil-sport”
- False player, or cheat: pretends to play while still acknowledging the magic circle
- Spoil sport: robs play of its illusion and threatens the existence of the play community. Is a coward and should be ejected. Example is a kid who refuses to make-believe
- Society is more lenient to a cheat than a spoil sport
Play and Social groupings
- “A play-community generally tends to become permanent even after the game is over.” Ex. Athletes being friends off the field
- Play tends to surround itself in secrecy
- We are different and do things differently when at play.
- Dressing up in costumes helps facilitate this transition to another being.
