Punch and Judy

From Plastic Tub

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A covert means of introducing the sausage meme to children, this favorite puppet story features an alligator and in some versions, Mormo.

The Punch and Judy show s ultimately based on the Italian commedia dell'arte, and the figure of Punch derives from the Italian Pulcinello. He is a Trickster figure of almost universal archetype, who outwits the law, both spiritual and secular; the enslavement of love and sentimentality; death and the devil himself. Racist historians of the popular skit's origins say Judy was originally conceived of as a reference to Jews or more specifically, Juadaism. Most mainstream historians concur that she originated as "Joan" and as such represents a hapless everywoman, brutally murdered and chucked out onto the street along with her baby.

See Also