Jesters and Fools

  Jesters made their first appearance in history in the 13^th century but meant different things to different cultures up to the 19^th century.  Typically, when one pictures a jester they imagine a silly fellow in brightly colored clothing (motley), wearing a hat and shoes with bells, and often they are juggling.  Although this is one type of jester, the Shakespearean jester, or Fool, as he is more commonly referred, does not live up to this description.

  It should first be noted that there were two types of fools: the natural fool and the artificial fool.  The natural fool was someone who was physically and/or mentally challenged.  These fools were employed in royal courts to entertain Kings, Queens and courtiers with their silly antics.  Needless to say, in today’s eyes, this would be far from politically correct or acceptable.  Artificial fools, on the other hand, weren’t really foolish at all. They would entertain the royal courts with their wit, singing and performing, but they were most valued for their ability to point out the foolishness in others.  These fools were even allowed to sling insults at their masters if they were behaving badly or foolishly!  Oddly enough, these fools were cherished by their masters, provided them with advice and served as confidents. 

  In Shakespeare’s plays, when there is a fool present, he is most often an artificial fool.  In some cases, he acts as Shakespeare’s mouthpiece commenting on the politics or social conditions of the time.  He is bright and insightful and allows an audience an opportunity to see beyond what is merely presented to us on stage.  Nonetheless, he is witty, and entertaining all the while.