Poor Image: The Jester

The image on The Jester is the main antagonist of Super Paper Mario, who is basically an Evil Clown and an Omnicidal Maniac. While he technically dresses like a jester, he is a far cry from being an example of this trope.

Simply GIS'ing the term gives literally hundreds of better images, such as this one◊, that one◊, this lego dude◊, or even this classic image◊.

Of those, I think I like the Lego character best. Danny Kaye made a movie called The Court Jester; here's some snaps from that: 1◊, 2◊, 3◊, 4◊, 5◊

I kinda like the last one, as it at least suggests it's someone who does speak with high class people, rather than just being an entertainer.

I think it's important to not just have a literal jester. As the first paragraph says this is about a character who's generally laughed at or not taken seriously, not about wearing the costume.

You're correct that this is not merely about the costume. However, it is also not about characters laughed at or not taken seriously (that's a different trope, e.g. Butt-Monkey and The Cassandra). The Jester also has to be someone who can can voice uncomfortable truths and point out the proverbial Elephant in the Room.

I like the images in @2.

Image #3, in post #2, with a caption quoting one of those uncomfortable truths that only a jester could say (I haven't seen the movie, so I cannot help about that) could allow to have an actual jester while conveying the idea of a constructive troll.

edited 22nd Sep '14 12:12:11 PM by earworthm

Here's a possibility.

Not really fond of the art style, but I think it illustrates the trope best.

I don't really see the issue with the pic. He mocks the other villains (including the "king"), points out uncomfortable truths (he at one point bluntly states that the plan might not work and that Mario will probably stomp all over them), and is secretly running the show, but none of the cast takes notice because he's goofy and dicks around a lot, and they just think he's kind of weird. He's probably one of the better examples on that page.

But if we -must- change the picture, the one in Geoduck's post is the best. Most of the rest are simply replacing one picture of a guy who may or may not fit the trope with a picture of an identically-dressed guy who most certainly does -not- fit the trope, because they don't have any backstory at all.

edited 2nd Oct '14 9:23:32 PM by XenMon2

His dialogue isn't present in the image, though.

Sorry, Geoduck, I think that's a miss.

But the image doesn't show any of that.

I'm fine with Geoduck's image, too.

This thread has been inactive for a month; clocking it.

Leaning toward supporting 8. In any case the current image should be pulled.

Motion to pull, as the character shown is not an example.

I concur with #8 as a new picture.

Harle from Chrono Cross◊

Not bad, but I still prefer 8 because it shows what the Jester actually does.

GIS provides practically the same thing but drawn better.

[1]◊

I like some of these but nothing shows someone who can can voice uncomfortable truths and point out the proverbial Elephant in the Room. If an image looked like a comedy roast toward the royal that would probably be best.

Is this trope about literal jesters at all or just about the character type? i cant tell. the laconic says nothing about literal jesters, and lots of the examples have nothing at all to do with jesters, but the description and picture both have references to literal court jesters

Reclocking. My vote is to pull the current for JAFAAC regardless of replacement; yea/nay?

Sure.

I like the current picture imo Dimentio fits the trope.

Who is that guy and how does he fit?

I'm good with the pull.