Fools are everywhere
Subtitle: the court jester around the world
By: Beatrice K. Otto.
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Published: 2001
Place of publication: Chicago
Language: eng
Number of pages: 420
Subjects: Fools and jesters -- History; Fools and jesters -- Cross-cultural studies
Genres: Cross-cultural studies.
Description: "Beatrice K. Otto takes us on a journey around the world in search of one of the most colorful characters in history - the court jester. Though not always clad in cap and bells, these witty, quirky characters crop up everywhere, from the courts of ancient China and the Mogul emperors of India to those of medieval Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas.

Throughout history, they have lampooned anything and anyone deemed sacrosanct - religion and its representatives, self-important scholars, officials, and corrupt, lazy rulers. With a wealth of anecdotes, jokes, quotations, epigraphs, and illustrations, Otto brings to light little-known jesters, highlighting their humanizing influence on people of power and position. In the process she sheds a more idiosyncratic, intimate light on some of the most important figures in world history."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 345-399) and index.
Rev. of the author's thesis Cosmic caperers (doctoral--1996)