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'What? : The Carthaginians are attacking? God, I knew they'd do that. What? : They are attacking over the Alps? Damn, I knew they'd do that. What? : They're coming on Elephants? : Where'd they get the Elephants? There aren't any Elephants in Europe. This I got to see : are you sure? : It's not just a typo mistake? Perhaps the Carthaginians are attacking over the alps and they are in their element? Kind of upbeat, you know. They're coming on fucking elephants, huh.'

Eddie Izzard#64

HumorHistoryStorytellingRepetitionSurprise

About this quote

What does it mean?
Izzard uses repetition to show growing shock as details about an invasion unfold.
In plain terms
A person reacts with increasing shock to news of enemies with elephants.
What can you take from it?
Repetition emphasizes surprise and disbelief.

Where it applies

  • telling a story
  • using repetition
  • historical joke

Putting it to work

  • build narrative tension
  • emphasize key points

Questions to consider

  • Why does repetition work?
  • How do we react to bad news?

Another view

It assumes audience knowledge of specific historical facts.

More from Eddie Izzard

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  2. 'If you've never seen an Elephant ski, then you've never been on acid.'

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  3. 'My name is Mrs. Smith, I've made apples out of bread and dripping, a bit of green paint, and corrugated iron.' 'No, these are horrible apples, Mrs. Smith. Go …

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