Entertaiment is the ability to inspire an emotional and intellectual response. It may be lighthearted, but many forms of entertainment have a serious purpose – for example ceremonial events, religious festivals or satire. Entertainments are varied, ranging from an individual choosing an item of pre-recorded music for private enjoyment; to the preparation of a banquet adapted to any number of diners; to performances intended for thousands or even for a global audience. The ability of some entertainments to cross over different media is demonstrated by the way that stories such as Scheherazade – a story in the professional storytelling tradition – can be adapted to inspire orchestral music by composers like Rimsky-Korsakov, Ravel and Szymanowski; film adaptations; and innovative video games.

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