It is as rare as spotting a cat playing the violin on a silver moon when a teacher gives specific instructions for us to play the fool! To clarify, the scene is set in theatre class where twenty budding actors have just been asked to perform a series of exercises to help us play the Fool with skilled ease. For most of us newcomers in the class who are armed with our serious notions of literature and our literary knowledge, the hour in class is a painstaking mini exercise in bruising our egos. Playing the Fool is harder than we imagined!
Truth about the Fool Throughout history and across the span of culture, the Fool is one of the most interesting and complex archetypes. Our childhood tales of Tenali Raman and Birbal are filled with anecdotes where these characters appear to play the fool but inevitably bring the tale to a closure through their insight-filled wisdom. Shakespeare’s dramas often use the character of the Fool as a device to tell unpleasant truths about the human condition through the antics and misadventures of characters. The story of Don Quixote and his simple but wise companion Sancho Panza pays tribute to the wisdom of the simple peasant. The Jester is an important member of a pack of cards and in Bat man the Joker is a villain covered in strange hues of revenge and human weakness. The “Fool” is more universal than we imagined!
A Fool represents a part of an experience where we hold up a mirror to really see ourselves for who we are.
Every society is built through time, creating codes of conduct and building hierarchical structures. The character of the Fool breaks down these walls as the Fool lacks something that all of us have, fear.
He does not attach any value to his identity and hence is able to pose uncomfortable questions or behave in unpredictable manner to peel or reveal the truth about the facade we hide behind.
In this context, the fool is the wise man, cleverly disguised!
Information, not wisdom In the information-centric world we live in, wisdom is erroneously equated with information. The access to the World Wide Web has opened doors to so many and one can almost enter any portal of knowledge with a mere click. I have often found children spouting theories and facts far beyond their age. The inherent danger in this is we applaud them for it, and in doing so often create a misplaced idea of wisdom and knowledge.
In many classes taught, one has sensed a total lack of curiosity and humility. The idea that the fact that they have learnt is just the beginning of their journey is absent. Life does teach us otherwise, a fact needs to be really understood and applied to translate as knowledge, and wisdom often comes only when one spends time in reflection and experience.
Wisdom of curiosity Many years ago, a reading workshop conducted in a government school was a real eye-opener. Firstly, the children were so excited to handle the books given and had numerous questions about how the book was published. We shared a folk tale, and many of their responses were filled with insights beyond facts. It was rooted in experience of living in conditions where one had to share limited resources with neighbours. Also, there was such a lack of self-consciousness, an openness which was very refreshing.
When one is ready to be the Fool, one regains the sense of innocence and wonder in the world. One is willing to cross boundaries and travel beyond limitations. As discussed in an earlier article, there are so many ways one can break out of the shackles we create within ourselves.
I remember a story of well-travelled artist who was touring Europe with a group of her dancers of whom many were first-time travellers. She was amazed how despite their limited exposure and “knowledge,” they imbibed customs of the local place, made friends without inhibition and bumbled their way through hilarious experiences. She confided she was envious of their willingness to really play the Fool!
A fool is not foolish To be foolish of course is a different matter. When we indulge in actions that hurt someone or constantly judge, we don’t realise how foolish we really are.
To play the fool requires a far greater quality. It demands that we let our egos be bruised a little, laugh at our own selves a lot more and keep our hearts and minds open.
A tall order but worth it — are you ready to play the fool?
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