Schwank

Schwank is a traditional German literary form consisting of short, humorous narratives, also known as Schwänke in the plural. The term is of German origin; Schwänke are typically told as brief tales or performed as light comic plays, often without a complex plot.

Content and style: A Schwank usually centers on ordinary people and everyday situations. The humor arises from witty dialogue, practical jokes, misunderstandings, or satirical observations of social norms. The plots are usually episodic and concise, with a quick setup and a swift, humorous twist at the end.

Historical and cultural context: Schwänke were popular in vernacular print culture and oral storytelling in German-speaking lands from the late medieval and early modern periods onward. They appeared in chapbooks, miscellanies and as short dramatic interludes in theatres, towns, and households. They are typically anonymous or attributed to a nameless narrator rather than a canonical literary author.

Terminology and scope: The singular "Schwank" and plural "Schwänke" cover a range of similar micro-fiction forms, from oral anecdotes to short plays. In some contexts, the term is used broadly to describe any light, humorous tale.

Modern usage and study: In literary scholarship, Schwänke are valued as sources for popular humor, language, and social attitudes of their eras. They are distinct from longer narrative forms or formal comedies, though they share elements with fables and farces.