Episode 478 - Pity da fool!

Fools are an iconic character trope and I wanted to explore them. They're a lot more varied and interesting than is readily apparent. There's a LOT more too a fool than what something like TV tropes suggests, unless you get into the subtypes… And that's what we explored in this free-form discussion. I introduced the idea in the Patreon only video where Tantz, Banes, Pt and I try and get a handle on the idea for the first time, so that's a good behind the scenes insight into what goes on!

We worked out that there are many different kinds of fools. The classic idea of "The Fool" comes from King Leer where the fool speaks truth to power, like the little boy who tells the emperor that he's naked, or a lucky, untouchable character that succeeds regardless and gets automatic protection from those around them; reminiscent of the time when mentally disabled people were seen as being "touched by god".

They can be sidekicks like Barney on the Flintstones, or main characters like The Tick, or Maxwell Smart. They can be lovable rogues like Flashman or the famous Scaramouche character. They can be innocents like Andy from Parks and Rec, or they can have an altogether different purpose like Jerry in Parks and Rec: he's a sort of a court-Jester style fool but his role is to show the darker sides of the otherwise good characters as they make fun of him.

Who is your favourite fool? And do you make use of a fool in your work?

The musical feature this week that Gunwallace has given us is theme to Cragwater: Magical, bucolic fairy music. Lush green idyllic meadows on high mountains overlooking sunlit valleys, washed in golden brilliance, walled by faint purple mountains that fade into the distant hazy sky. A brook glitters at the centre as it bubbles and flows between the rocks and grass. This music evokes high places, greenery, and sunlight.



Topics and shownotes

Links

TV Tropes on The Fool - https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheFool

Featured comic:
SteveAndMelvin - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/news/2020/may/05/featured-comic-steveandmelvin/

Featured music:
Cragwater - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Cragwater/, by TallFroyo , rated T

Special thanks to:
Pit Face - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/PIT_FACE/
Gunwallace - http://www.virtuallycomics.com
Tantz Aerine - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/Tantz_Aerine/
Ozoneocean - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/ozoneocean
Banes - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/Banes/
kawaiidaigakusei - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/kawaiidaigakusei/

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