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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/11955-The-Jester.html
Comedy: May 17, 2023 Issue [#11955]




 This week: The Jester
  Edited by: Annette Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

"Humor was a good way to hide the pain." - Rick Riordan

"Although according to certain philosophers it is quite difficult to distinguish the jester from the melancholic, life itself being a comic drama or a dramatic comedy." - Isidore Ducasse Lautreamont


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Letter from the editor

The Jester


What is a jester?
Jester is a minstrel who tells tales. The jester (gestour in its original spelling) is employed as a professional clown. The jester's role is to bring levity to serious issues. Other names include fool and motley fool.

Are there any female jesters?
Yes. A woman who is a jester is called plaisante. This is French and means the one who makes jokes. Throughout history, there have been a few documented famous plaisantes who entertained queens and noblewomen.

Does the jester symbolize anything in literature?
The jester is a character that lends itself perfectly for adding symbolism to a story. Aloof and free to speak off the cuff, the jester (oh, the irony) can stand in for the voice of reason and common sense. The jester's role is also to be honest instead of deceitful. The jester's ability to observe and comment on events without the need for politics makes them the ideal figure to instruct readers on what's really going on in a story without having to resort to passive narration.

Is the jester an archetype in fiction?
The jester has been part in fiction from around the world. With the ability to appreciate beauty, revel in change, delight in surprises, and gifted with a wicked intellect, the jester's exuberant antics help hold any narration together. Whether irreverence and mischievousness is needed or the uncovering of something sinister, the jester is there to fill the needed role. Easily fitting into any background, the jester's outlook on life is that it is a crazy playground of opportunity.

What does the jester fear?
Boredom.
Worse: boring others.

Is there a skill the jester has that is unique?
The jester's best skills are wasting time by living each moment to the fullest and frivolity. Any moment is good enough to be made fun of, dragged out, and embellished with a serenade thought of in the moment.

Are there any villainous jesters?
Yes. Ask anyone with a coulrophobia - the fear of clowns.

Can I put a jester into a modern story?
Yes. The jester character is a multi-purpose archetype that can be funny, tragic, evil, or many more things. Almost any ensemble piece can benefit from a jokester in their midst. The character can be very blatantly a jester type such as the Joker in Batman or the Comedian in Watchmen. The jester can be cute and still pack a punch like Harley Quinn. A more understated jester is hidden within the lancer. Second to the leader in the classical five-man-band, the lancer is there to provide sarcastic commentary on the leader's decisions.

Use the jester like salt. Have some, but not too much.

Do you prefer a funny or a tragic jester?


Editor's Picks

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Finding Flies Open in new Window. (E)
A silly story-poem for the Writing 4 Kids Contest. Kermit saves the day!
#2247368 by winklett Author IconMail Icon

 The Fool's Reign  Open in new Window. (ASR)
A naive jester receives a peculiar object and takes fun and laughter too far.
#2118723 by brom21 Author IconMail Icon

The Jester Poems Open in new Window. (E)
The Jester is the main character in a series of poems. Each poem tells part of his story.
#1687415 by Sum1's Home! Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2249262 by Not Available.

 
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Sonnet IX (The Jester Loved) Open in new Window. (E)
One of my early attempts at writing a sonnet. 14 lines of Iambic Pentameter.
#2270684 by Humble Poet PNG Author IconMail Icon

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Behind the Circus Open in new Window. (ASR)
A sestina on the machinations of sinister suspects
#2248137 by Tileira Author IconMail Icon

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The Jester King Open in new Window. (18+)
The dance of the king and courtiers. Third place in Dark Dreamscapes, Round 44.
#2249312 by Beholden Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2248773 by Not Available.

 The Jester From Algester Open in new Window. (E)
April 1st. NaPoWriMo/GloPoWriMo Entry.
#2186804 by Laurie Razor Author IconMail Icon



 
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Ask & Answer

Replies to my last Comedy newsletter "Cold Weather" Open in new Window. that asked How cold is it when you start laughing?

None. But I found this request to have a poem featured, so I decided to do that.

winklett Author Icon wrote: Hello! I respectfully submit my silly poem for the comedy newsletter. Thank you for considering it! Amy "Finding Flies" Open in new Window.

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