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JESTER, n. An officer attached to the king's household to…

“JESTER, n. An officer attached to the king's household to amuse the court by ludicrous actions and utterances . . . the king's own conduct and decrees [being] sufficiently ridiculous for the amusement not only of his court but of all mankind.” quote by Ambrose Bierce
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“JESTER, n. An officer attached to the king's household to amuse the court by ludicrous actions and utterances . . . the king's own conduct and decrees [being] sufficiently ridiculous for the amusement not only of his court but of all mankind.”

Ambrose Bierce

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A jester is a court entertainer whose absurdity mirrors the king’s own absurdities, exposing folly to all.

In simple terms: Court fool highlights ruler’s ridiculousness.

Key Takeaway

Use humor to reveal truth.

Themes

satire court absurdity truth power

Mood

witty critical

Type

satirical observational

When to use this quote

  • political satire
  • theatrical performance
  • media commentary

Key Concepts

Social critique role reversal performance art

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can satire effectively challenge authority?
  • When does humor become ineffective?
A Different Perspective

Humor may be dismissed as mere entertainment, diluting its critical edge.

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