Why are some people so terrified of clowns?

Answer 1

Many people find clowns disturbing rather than amusing. Many children are afraid of disguised, exaggerated, or costumed figures — even Santa Claus. Clown costumes tend to exaggerate the facial features and some body parts, such as hands and feet. This can be read as monstrous or deformed as easily as it can be read as comical. At the same time, the clown act is often represented as drunken, reckless, or simply insane — that of the giggling maniac. This includes the notorious Canio who murdered Nedda and Silvio (recorded in Leoncavallo's opera Pagliacci.)

An extreme fear of clowns is known as coulrophobia.

It can also be said one's response to a clown might depend on where it's seen. At a circus or a party, a clown is normal and one may find a clown funny. The same clown knocking on one's front door late one evening is more likely to generate fear or distress than laughter or amusement. This effect is summed up in a quote often attributed to actor Lon Chaney, Sr.: "There is nothing funny about a clown in the moonlight."

The idea of an evil clown can also be used in comedy. Since a clown is supposed to be funny, it is considered ironic if a clown has nothing whatsoever funny about him. Thus, a clown that is not funny can be hilarious.



John Wayne Gacy, (March 17, 1942 – May 10, 1994) was an American serial killer. He was convicted and later executed for the rape and murder of 33 boys and men, 27 of whom he buried in a crawl space under the floor of his house, while others were found in nearby rivers, between 1972 and his arrest in 1978. He became notorious as the "Killer Clown" because of the many block parties he attended, entertaining children in a clown suit and makeup, under the name of Pogo the Clown.

The wide publicity of Gacy's crimes is often presumed to have a strong influence on the idea of an evil clown.



AFTER READING THIS, IS THERE ANY DOUBT NOW?

Answer 2

Some little kids may be because clowns have weird color hair. the make-up and costumes. Many things the haven't seen before. The movie IT is a big factor. I have a friend who accidentally saw It when she was three and is still terrified.

Answer 3

Part of it is rooted in the fear of the unknown. The heavy makeup disguises who the person is. The main cause of the fear seems to be the grotesquely distorted features such as, of course, the large red nose, big shoes, oversize gloves and large wig (all those assume a typical "Bozo" type clown). A combination of a grotesque human figure and an uncertainty of their identity could be quite frightening to some children which may carry over into adulthood.

Answer 4

The smile on a clown is horrifying. Plus there face appears to never change because of the makeup. I also think that Burger King guys is freaky too.

Answer 5

Someone I know was sexually molested as a child by someone dressed up as a clown, so that's one reason, although an extreme one. Also, to a child, clowns look abnormal - because they DO look abnormal - so to a child a clown might be very frightening.

Answer 6

Why do people go to movies that terrify them? Same reason clowns are popular...we like to get that adrenalin rush that comes with fear.

Answer 7

I've always been afraid of them. Clowns and Santa Claus. My two biggest fears. Not even kidding.

Answer 8

Just consider the war in Iraq. Too bad more people weren't terrified in 2004.

Answer 9

Older clowns look like they are funny

new clowns use so much make up and bright suits.

the make up and wild costumes are night mare material

no one should look like that

the medievil jester did not look deformed or horrific. they just dress odd and joked, played music or recited poems or stories

Answer 10

My friend is and her therapist said some people fear clowns because they are behind a smiling mask, which could be hiding their "true" feelings/intentions (sadness, anger, etc.).