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Mysterious is the right
word used when talking of the Court
Jester. Jester can have so many meanings
relating to factors of silliness – for
example the court jester was a fool –
clown - buffoon or an idiot as some would
see him.
The joker was
definately a feisty character with great
talent. The amusement entertainment
included song/dance/jokes/gags and the playing
of musical instruments. His whole duty and
mission was to make everyone laugh. Laughter
would ring out from jolly happy audiences that
had gathered around to watch and listen to the
jesters jokes and hilarious fun
tricks.
A Court Jester in
medieval times could arise from different
backgrounds: for instance a monk evicted from
his priory for funny frolics and if a person
joked and played the fool and was found to be
amusing then more often than not the chances
were that he would take on the role as the
courtyard jester. In modern times our stand up
comic would take centre stage to entertain
where as would the jester in a palace
courtyard. (If he were chosen to do so) People
of high education also entertained in this way
along with talented poets an
muscians.
In the days of the late Middle Ages funny
jokesters like the clown are believed to have
originated their material from the jester by
imitating all the frolicking fun antics. Court
jesters were employed as members of the royal
staff. and were given priority preferences than
that of other staff - punishment was out of the
question for the jester even if he spoke out of
term to people of authority.
Always the centre
of attention was the court jester – this may
have had a lot to do with the costume being so
bright and colourful. Outfits of the jester
could be of green saffron, coats with jagged
collars and not forgetting the three pronged
pointed cap with bells on - the jester outfit
is a common costume worn at fancy dress
parties.
The Court Jester would
perform magic tricks - acrobatics – juggling
- storytelling - tightrope walking -
contortion – puppetry and much more as well
as working with animals. Unfortunately many
talented funny folks gags and jokes went
unnoticed – so therefore they were never
given the opportunity to play out their role
in front of royalty – hence the jester
continued to amuse locals in the street with
song and dance routines performing as a
minstrel.
It was around the
sixteenth century when the word clown came
about (Clod) This was the era period when
revival of the Italian clowns came alive.
Unknown too many people are where the Harlequin
originated from (The Italian theatre) the
harlequin`s task was to hamper and spoil the
clowns hilarious and side splitting show. We
all relate to the Harlequin by the chequered
costume which was traditionally a white ruffle
collar, a black and white diamond all in one
patterned suit and the the famous face covering
of a black mask.
Sadly to say in
1642 a sombre stage developed in the history of
clowning with the closure of English theatres.
Even though they reopened in 1660, clowns were
ignored and not warmly welcomed back with open
arms. It was because of this clowns took to the
roadsides to entertain and amuse. The Court
Jester relives himself from the past to the
present day in the form of your regular street
busker.
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