

Though he’s Romeo’s bestie, he doesn’t play sides with his critical commentary, picking on Romeo’s hyper-romantic tendencies from act one. Smart, playful, and cynical, Mercutio almost always goes for the joke. But just to help you conceptualize this archetype further, here are some classic Jester archetype examples. Hopefully, you’re already starting to recognize a few Jesters from your favorite books and movies in these descriptions. Seconds away from death and still going for the joke. For others, humor is a shield-a way to acknowledge suffering without actually sitting with the pain. For some Jesters, their carefree nature is what motivates them to seek the joke in all situations. This is where you have an opportunity to give your Joker some depth and explore their true motivations. They have a difficult time talking about emotions-theirs or anyone else’s-without making a joke. That brings us to the final trait: Emotionally Guarded
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Whether this carefree exterior is a full representation of how the Jester feels or just a mask they wear to protect themselves… well, that’s up to you and your story. A lot of Jesters preach about accepting the world for the mess that it is.

They don’t think much about the future, and while they’re often content to tag along with the protagonist (or antagonist) on their journey, they don’t care much about the outcome. In darker portrayals, you might see a Jester struggling with addiction and other impulse control issues. Sometimes they chase what thrills them without considering the consequences to themselves or others. This character tends to be restless and impulsive. The Jester loves a good paradox, loves playing devil’s advocate, and loves using humor to outwit hypocrites and those in power. Even if they don’t seem exceptionally sharp in the traditional sense, they are uniquely insightful and observant. It’s not unusual for the Jester to be the smartest person in the room. They’re curious, they don’t think much about consequences, and they love making authority figures look like idiots. Most Jesters are drawn to trouble, provided the trouble looks fun. People usually like having a Jester around … at least when things are going well.

They’re entertaining, magnetic, and outgoing. Clearly, the actual characters who fit into the Jester archetype can vary widely in terms of personality and genre.īut there are a few common traits you’re likely to see in most of the jokers out there. What are Typical Jester Archetype Characteristics?Ĭarpet from Aladdin is a Jester. In this way, your Jester has the power to be an emotional puppet master, whether or not it's their intention to play the role. Or it can offer the relief of a much-needed guffaw. It can force the truth on people who are not ready to hear it. A joke can spotlight conflict and insecurities.

Create or Ease TensionĬomedy itself is a game of building and releasing tension. Or the occasional show of earnest affection from Parks and Recreation’s dark and brooding Jester, April Ludgate. One great example is the sincere support and cheerleading Harry Potter gets from the mischievous Weasley twins. Some take a pause from their cynicism and pranks to rally behind the protagonist. On that note, not all Jesters are full-time snark-monsters. The Jester BFF may seem like a hot mess for the first two thirds of the story, but in the end, they’ve got the hot take on the issues standing between the protag and true love. You see this a lot in comedy and romance. They know the real reason why the antagonist did what they did, and they’re shockingly philosophical.Ī Jester’s wise insight can help you expand on a theme or it can inspire the protagonist to take action. This character sees the protagonist’s flaws and fears. Here are some ways you can use the Jester archetype to write a novel that flows and resonates with your reader. What Do Jester Archetypes Do?Ī well-crafted Jester can have a surprising impact on the momentum and depth of a story.
