Johan Huizinga

Nature and Significance of Play as a Cultural Phenomenon

Play is the amusement of oneself by engaging in imaginative pretence, which according to Huizinga is older than culture. Huizinga goes on to describe the nature of play in comparism to human and animal behavior patterns as ceremonious attitudes and gestures, which is explained in an example on the behavior of dogs play, were they exhibit pretence anger resulting in psychological reflexes in their playful attacks on each other, without intention to harm.

Plays origin and fundamentals are described as a discharge of superabundant vital energy, the satisfaction of some imitative instinct and or simply a means of relaxation. The training or grooming of the young through play has been considered as a foundation for future work and is also a form of exercise resulting in domination or competitiveness which keeps up personal values. This statement is applicable to both humans and animals, as I am reminded of how our parents playfully teach us coordination of our eyes and limps as infants. Though we are considered to be rational beings our take on play is irrational, therefore it should be looked at as it is intended to be, a social construction. Were grasping of the value and significance of play are observed and understood as an act in the cultural factor of life.

Huizinga’s essay distinguishes the nature of play without interweaving it with culture, yet he still relates pure play as the main bases of civilization. He also looks at another form of play which evolves around the abstract expression in language, “all work and no play make Jack a dull boy” and attributes play to non-seriousness, yet at the same time can also be serious depending on the form play takes. Play isn’t foolishness as Huizinga notes, but it is between wisdom and folly. Hence play is voluntary in humans, while the same cannot be said in animals, because their instincts drive them. Play is done as leisure or during free time and sometimes one can go without it. It isn’t binding, however once one is bound to play, it seizes to be play, becoming a cultural function. Play allows temporary stepping out of reality, yet an existence of absolute order remains.