When it comes to writing and creating characters, using archetypes can help you bring them to life. It gives you a framework to design your characters inside of and give them traits everyone can understand.
The jester archetype is an option to possibly use within your story. While most people think of the classic “fool” when it comes to this archetype, it is not always the most accurate description.
We will be going over the basics of this archetype and break down what you need to know just in case you decide to use it for inspiration. Then, we will look at some popular examples in media to help you understand how this archetype works in a story.
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What Is An Archetype?
Whether you can name every single character archetype off the top of your head or not, you would know so many of them just by hearing their names.
For example, think about characters such as the hero, the seducer, or the warrior, you can typically imagine the sort of character that is and the traits they would have.
An archetype simply represents a universal pattern. It is something we can often recognize and categorize into a framework.
Although humans are incredibly complex, sometimes we like characters in stories that we can fit into buckets so we mentally understand their role and how they fit in to the story.
What Is The Jester Archetype?
While a lot of us think about the classic “fool” character when it comes to the jester, but that is not always accurate.
The classic fool is a mess of a character who is always making jokes and can be quite annoying in a story.
However, the jester archetype can also be a comic relief in a story. They do not always have to be making foolish choices, but instead can give some much-needed laughs in a story.
The jester is defined by comedy so you need to keep that in mind if you choose to use this archetype. That does not mean they all need to use the same type of humor. Some can use humor to deflect or they can use it to make the main character see something in a new light.
It all depends on how you see the point of the jester in your story and what their overall purpose is in the plot.
Strengths Of The Jester Archetype
At its absolute best, the jester archetype can help the main character reflect on their life, see something from a new angle, and be encouraged to take action. They are often extroverts who are the typical life of the party in almost every scene.
It can be a fantastic character to include to put your plot and overall narrative forward, especially when used correctly. Yes, the jester can be comic relief, but you can also take it deeper than that.
The jester can often read people really well and understand their underlying motivations. Even when they seem like they are not paying attention, they are great at understanding how the people around them work.
If you have a character that needs to relax and see the good in life, including a jester character can help them take the “serious” edge off.
In some cases, you can even find the jester being one of the characters to outsmart or distract the villain in the story.
Is It Always Worth It To Use The Jester Archetype?
Keep in mind the jester is rarely the main character in a story. They are often there to improve the journey of the main character instead of be the focus.
That can also make them a slightly weaker character since we do not often dive into their backstory and know more information about them. Sometimes they make a mess of things which can be frustrating for other characters.
You will have to analyze your story and and how the jester fits into the overall story and plot and if it makes your characters better for having them in the story or not.
Dark Side Of The Jester Archetype
Now, just because the jester archetype of fun and humorous does not mean they cannot have a dark side as well.
They can be completely chaotic characters with destructive tendencies or have a mean streak that comes out. They can also struggle with physical and emotional intimacy because they can use their humor as a way to deflect from that depth.
They struggle to be emotionally open or help characters when they are emotional. While they can be young at heart, they often struggle to mature and grow up and can remain immature for years.
It will be up to you as the author how much of the dark traits come out of the jester, but it is there as an option if you decide to use it in your overall plot.
Examples Of The Jester Archetype
There are many famous examples of the jester archetype you can imagine so you can wrap your mind around how this character works.
#1 – Harley Quinn from DC Comics
Harley is a good example of the jester archetype. She is constantly cracking jokes and does not take life too seriously. She also has a destructive side when tempted to it.
#2 – Donkey from Shrek
While this is a movie and not a book, most of us know who this character is and how he shows up in the stories. His main purpose is to crack jokes and keep the spirits up during the journey.
#3 – Mercutio from Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare has quite a few characters that fit within the jester archetype, but Mercutio is a great example. He stands out as a character with his humor and his quick wit. He is reckless and a free spirit, which makes him extra charming in the story.
#4 – The Weasley twins from Harry Potter
The Weasley twins are a classic jester archetype with double the trouble. They are mischievous characters who are always getting into trouble and doing pranks but are helpful characters when they need to be.
Need More Help With Your Characters?
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This sheet is designed to help you outline your characters and their development throughout the story in half the time you would normally take to plan it out.
Good characters are the reason most people stay invested in books, so it is a good thing to spend your time focusing on as long as you can.
Get your copy:
Character Development Cheat Sheet [also printable!]
Fast track your character development in HALF the time.
Keep your characters feeling REAL and organized at the same time with a fully customizable and printable character development worksheet designed to make your characters shine!