16th century, dramatic character, Europe, German, Germany, play, primary source, quotes
This is from a 16th century German comic play featuring a jester who mocks the real fool of the story, the visiting doctor. The doctor is learned but condescending to his friend, the jester’s master, and disparaging about life in the country even though he is...
5th century, dramatic character, India, play, primary source, quotes, Sanskrit
Vidusaka is a stock comic character in ancient Sanskrit drama; there has been much ink spilled as to whether he was a jester or not, and many of the arguments against this proposition seem rather to confirm it. We’ll be featuring more quotes and stories about...
19th century, dramatic character, England, English, Europe, historical figure, play, primary source, quotes
A number of historical jesters had plays written about them, including Dongfang Shuo 東方朔 (c. 160 – c. 93 BCE) in China, and Henry VIII’s jester Will Somers. Here we find Charles the First (1824), a dramatic fragment by Shelley, which has Charles I give an...
19th century, dramatic character, Europe, France, French, primary source, quotes
As the jester Giraff says in Victor Hugo’s play about Cromwell (1827), the jester can always save his skin, and in order to reach old age in a world full of uncertainty, there is no wiser guise. See a similar sentiment expressed by Leopardi around the same...
17th century, dramatic character, England, Europe, primary source, quotes
A marvelous line from As You Like It demonstrating the power of the fool to see and expose the folly of the allegedly wise with even just a passing glance. The wiseman’s folly is anatomiz’d / Even by the squand’ring glances of the fool. Source:...
20th century, dramatic character, Europe, German, Germany, primary source, quotes
An early 20th century German play highlights the twin identity playing out in each of us. Ah, if we were but wise enough to see it. Und doch nenn ich sofort euch zwei GestaltenDie unbotmäßig in euch allen walten:Ein kleiner König und ein grosser Tor.And yet I name...
16th century, dramatic character, England, English, Europe, primary source, quotes
Here Lear’s fool gives advice that could by usefully followed by most of us. I also like his willingness to take back his advice if you happen to find a better source of wisdom. Which of course you know you won’t, at least if you’ve read your...
