11th century, folk fool, historical figure, Persia, Persian, primary source, quotes, stories
Talhak, jester to Sultan Mahmud of Ghazna (r. 998-1030), enjoyed a close and easy relationship with him. See also the lexicon entry for ‘dalhak’, apparently deriving from Talhak’s name, and another example of his cuckold jokes. Like jesters in...
10th century, China, Chinese, East Asia, historical figure, primary source, quotes, stories, Tang dynasty
This anecdote from Sima Guang’s 11th century historical record, the Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, gives an insight into the personal closeness that could exist between an emperor and the jester. This jester, with the engaging name of Going Round in...
Arabic, fictive fool, Middle East, primary source, quotes, stories
Physical deformity was in many times and places a positive asset in a jester, as this example from the 1001 Nights demonstrates. In other contexts, mental disability could also be an asset. We will reference fools and jesters of either type as we go, and also bring to...
16th century, folk fool, historical figure, India, primary source, quotes, stories
Attributed to the Mughal Emperor Akbar (r. 1556-1605), expressing his sorrow at the death of Birbal, the poet and courtier whose wit made him morph into one of India’s superstar jesters about whom stories still circulate widely.The capacity to comfort and cheer...
