Jest because...

October 2, 2003 5:22 PM

The court jester in history, and around the world.
posted by moonbird (12 comments total)

Bring me my Fool! Great post.
posted by crunchburger at 5:52 PM on October 2, 2003

Let's not forget Hop-Frog.
...I don't remember if he also marches.
posted by crunchburger at 5:56 PM on October 2, 2003

Nifty, moonbird. I hadn't thought about fools in religion--well, at least not in that way. Thanks.
posted by lobakgo at 6:15 PM on October 2, 2003

Fool
If thou wert my fool, nuncle, I'ld have thee beaten
for being old before thy time.

KING LEAR
How's that?

Fool
Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst
been wise.

From King Lear, Act 1, Scene 5
posted by CrunchyFrog at 6:17 PM on October 2, 2003

Great links, moonbird. Your posts are consistently excellent. Thanks!
posted by homunculus at 7:03 PM on October 2, 2003

"The pellet with the poison's in the vessel with the pestle; the chalice from the palace has the brew that is true!"
posted by Sangre Azul at 7:13 PM on October 2, 2003

Great post moonbird! I love the jester gallery pages. Terrific links, thanks!

Here is a related page - Foolish Clothing: Depictions of Jesters and Fools in Medieval and Renaissance Art it's well done page, but geocities, so it may crash.
posted by madamjujujive at 7:40 PM on October 2, 2003

What's with the double standard?
Clowns = Evil
Mimes = Evil
Wavy Gravy = Evil
Carrot Top = Evil
Jesters = Good

Is it really just a matter of personal taste in humor, or are jesters redeemed just because they appear on playing cards? I don't like attributing "evil" to anybody who' just trying to make people laugh, even if they're failing miserably (like Carrot Top).

Except for Howard Stern. He is evil.
posted by wendell at 9:55 PM on October 2, 2003

Jesters were sometimes portrayed as those who were the most aware of the current political/social context. This Polish Jester and the explanation provided is a perfect example
posted by ruelle at 4:18 AM on October 3, 2003

Sorry, that previous link was suppose to be this
posted by ruelle at 4:21 AM on October 3, 2003

The fool is archetypal and powerful. A Google image search for 'Fool' is always fun. And evidently it's still possible to have a fool's life.
posted by Shane at 6:11 AM on October 3, 2003

Ah...yes. O that I were a fool! I am ambitious for a motley coat. Motley's the only wear!
Uhm, er.. ah mean thanx fer all the great linkage, good peoples.
posted by ZachsMind at 7:58 AM on October 3, 2003