On December 13, 2025, Kasie and Rex revisited the comic relief character. Here are the show notes:

Topic: Comic Relief

Agenda:

• Quick catch up
• Define the Clown
• Uses for the Clown
• How to use the Clown

Segment 1

It’s been a while since we covered the dozen uses for the Fool (Episode 181) so there are some new notes and updated links for it but the concept remains.

Per Gemini AI:

the Fool is an archetype, often a jester or simpleton, who uses humor, feigned madness, or childlike simplicity to speak uncomfortable truths, challenge norms, offer wisdom, and provide commentary, acting as a mirror for society and powerful figures, as seen in Shakespeare’s King Lear, where the Fool guides Lear through his downfall by bluntly pointing out his foolishness. They serve as both comedic relief and profound commentators, revealing deeper meanings through their seemingly nonsensical words or actions, and can represent vulnerability, childlike innocence, or a “holy fool” figure who embodies spiritual wisdom. (Link and Link)

Key Characteristics:

• Truth-teller: Given license by their supposed foolishness, they can criticize kings, nobles, and societal conventions without punishment, a role often denied to others.
• Wise Fool: Appears simple but possesses profound insight, using wit, paradox, and riddles to convey wisdom (e.g., King Lear, Patchface in A Song of Ice and Fire).
• Vulnerability & Presence: Embodies living in the moment, embracing risk, and showing authentic emotion, contrasting with the controlled, often misguided, actions of the “wise” characters.
• Catalyst for Change: Their commentary forces others (and the audience) to confront uncomfortable realities, prompting growth or revealing tragic flaws. (Link)

Segment 2

What are some versions of the fool?

The Holy Fool – someone who pretends to be silly, feigns ignorance or insanity (link)

The potential future – the fool who will learn, get better, gain expertise, and eventually be the sage or the savior

The distraction – the fool whose antics redirect attention away from the nefarious deeds (think Iago in Aladdin)

The trickster or the chaos agent – Loki in Marvel stories

Here’s some must-knows from this site:

1. The fool is a common feature in many Renaissance plays, including works by Shakespeare, where they often act as a voice of reason or truth among the chaos.
2. Fools use wordplay and puns to convey messages that challenge societal norms or the behavior of more serious characters.
3. Despite their comedic role, fools often reveal profound insights about love, power, and human nature, making them integral to the plot’s development.
4. In some plays, the fool can serve as a social equalizer, allowing characters of higher status to be critiqued without facing direct backlash.
5. The presence of the fool often highlights the absurdities of life and human behavior, creating a space for reflection on broader themes within the play.

Segment 3

Characteristics of modern fools:

1. Psychological Depth: More complex than simple jesters, often embodying internal struggles or societal alienation (e.g., Gogol Ganguli in The Namesake, who grapples with identity).
2. Subversion of Authority: They use humor, riddles, or outright chaos to question power structures and reveal hidden truths.
3. Path to Truth: Their “foolishness” serves as a vehicle for profound commentary, allowing them to speak when others cannot or will not. 

Segment 4This link has a list of awesome ways to use the fool. So check it out and let us know how your effort at writing a fool went.