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A '''fool''' is a court [[w:Jester|jester]] used to entertain nobles and their guests at court. Fools are sometimes [[lackwit]]s and simpletons.
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[[File:Henning Ludvigsen moon boy.JPG|thumb|400px|[[Moon Boy]] by Henning Ludvigsen © Fantasy Flight Games]]
[[File:Henning Ludvigsen moon boy.JPG|[[Moon Boy]] performing. © FFG|thumb|400px|right]]
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A '''fool''' or '''jester''' is a comic entertainer of nobles and their guests at court.
They often wear brightly colored [[w:Motley|motley]]. They use storytelling, japes, juggling, music, acrobatics, and other skills to entertain their audiences.
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==Culture==
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[[File:Mushroom.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Mushroom]] by Douglas Wheatley ©]]
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Jesters use storytelling, japes,{{Ref|ACOK|45}} juggling,{{Ref|ACOK|62}} music,{{Ref|ASOS|6}} acrobatics,{{Ref|ACOK|62}} and other skills to entertain their audiences. Fools often wear brightly colored [[w:Motley|motley]]{{Ref|ASOS|6}}{{Ref|ASOS|21}} and fanciful head-wear.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}{{Ref|ASOS|49}} [[Slave]] jesters in [[Volantis]] have their faces [[Tattoo|tattooed]] in motley.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Volantis}}
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Fools are often considered [[lackwit]]s and simpletons,{{Ref|AGOT|29}} but many are quite witty.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}{{Ref|AFFC|15}} Nobles often overlook fools and speak freely in their company.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}{{ref|ACOK|52}}
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The Fool's Gate is one of the gates of [[Maidenpool]],{{Ref|AFFC|25}} a town connected with the legendary [[Florian the Fool]].{{Ref|ASOS|21}} A fool is depicted in the arms of [[House Falwell]]. The iron figurehead of ''[[Joso's Prank]]'' is a laughing jester's face.{{Ref|ASOS|71}}
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==History==
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[[Florian the Fool]] was a legendary fool and [[knight]] associated with [[Jonquil]] and [[Maidenpool]].{{Ref|ASOS|21}}
 +
 
 +
Lord [[Rupert Falwell]], a famed member of the [[Faith Militant]], was known as the Fighting Fool.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}
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 +
The [[Goodwife]] was the first fool to serve at the [[Red Keep]].{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
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Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]] called himself the Silver Fool while disguised as [[mystery knight]] in a tourney at [[Old Oak]].{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
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[[Forrest Frey]] was mocked as "Fool Frey" after boldly asking for the hand of Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}}
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[[Mushroom]] was a fool who served Rhaenyra during the [[Dance of the Dragons]]. Because he was considered a [[lackwit]] by many, nobles often spoke freely around him. ''[[The Testimony of Mushroom]]'' details his recollections of the court.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}
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Lord [[Steffon Baratheon]] purchased [[Patchface]] in [[Volantis]] and freed him from [[slavery]], but the talented boy became a lackwit after nearly drowning in [[Shipbreaker Bay]].{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}
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When [[Gerion Lannister]] sailed for [[Valyria]] in search of [[Brightroar]], Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] referred to it as a "fool's quest".{{Ref|ADWD|33}}
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The fool of Lord [[Renly Baratheon]] made japes about the singing of [[Brienne of Tarth]].{{Ref|ACOK|45}} Lord [[Paxter Redwyne]]'s fool made fun of [[Samwell Tarly]] when the youth visited the [[Arbor]].{{Ref|AFFC|15}}
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==Recent Events==
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===''A Game of Thrones''===
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[[File: Butterbumps.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Butterbumps]] by Joel Micah Harris ©]]
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Ser [[Brynden Tully]] refers to the vain court of his niece, Lady [[Lysa Arryn]], at the [[Eyrie]] as a "fool's festival".{{Ref|AGOT|40}}
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===''A Clash of Kings''===
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King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]] strips [[knight]]hood from Ser [[Dontos Hollard]] and proclaims him a fool lower than [[Moon Boy]].{{Ref|ACOK|2}}{{Ref|ACOK|18}} Dontos comes to believe that Moon Boy is secretly employed by Lord [[Varys]].{{Ref|ACOK|52}}
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During [[Renly Baratheon]]'s feast at [[Bitterbridge]], a plump fool chases a [[dwarf]] to entertain the guests.{{Ref|ACOK|22}}
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To distract nobles during the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], Moon Boy walks on stilts and Dontos rides a broomstick horse.{{Ref|ACOK|60}}
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===''A Storm of Swords''===
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[[Butterbumps]] juggles and sings when [[Sansa Stark]] has supper with [[Olenna Tyrell]] and her granddaughter, [[Margaery Tyrell|Margaery]].{{Ref|ASOS|6}}
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During the [[Red Wedding]], [[Catelyn Stark]] kills [[Aegon Frey (son of Stevron)|Jinglebell]], the fool at the [[Twins]].{{Ref|ASOS|51}}
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===''A Feast for Crows''===
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[[Brienne of Tarth]] searches for Dontos and Sansa, since the two disappeared from [[King's Landing]] after [[Purple Wedding|Joffrey's death]];{{Ref|AFFC|4}} Brienne does not know that Dontos was killed in [[Blackwater Bay]].{{Ref|ASOS|61}} A [[pious dwarf]] tells her of a motley fool he had seen at [[Maidenpool]],{{Ref|AFFC|9}} and [[Dick Crabb]] escorts her to [[Crackclaw Point]] in search of this fool. When they arrive at the [[Whispers]], Brienne learns she has been tracking the murderous [[Shagwell]], one of the [[Brave Companions]].{{Ref|AFFC|20}}
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===''A Dance with Dragons''===
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A handmaid of [[Betharios of Braavos]] sleeps with the fool of Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] to gather information for [[Symond Frey]].{{Ref|ADWD|29}}
  
 
==Known Fools==
 
==Known Fools==
 
===Fools at the end of the third century===
 
===Fools at the end of the third century===
* [[Aegon Frey (son of Stevron)|Aegon Frey]], known as Jinglebells, the son of Ser [[Stevron Frey]]. A [[lackwit]] fool at the [[Twins]].{{Ref|ACOK|Appendix}}
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* [[Renly Baratheon]]'s fool.{{Ref|ACOK|45}}
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* [[Benjicot]], the fool and jester at the [[Gates of the Moon]].<ref name=Winds>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Alayne I (The Winds of Winter)|Alayne I]]</ref>
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* A plump fool and a [[dwarf]] at [[Bitterbridge]], possibly in service to Lord [[Lorent Caswell]] or Renly.{{Ref|ACOK|22}}
 
* [[Butterbumps]], the fool and jester of [[House Tyrell]].{{Ref|ASOS|6}}
 
* [[Butterbumps]], the fool and jester of [[House Tyrell]].{{Ref|ASOS|6}}
* Ser [[Dontos Hollard]], a drunken [[knight]] made court fool.{{Ref|ACOK|2}}
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* [[Aegon Frey (son of Stevron)|Aegon Frey]], known as Jinglebell, the son of Ser [[Stevron Frey]]. A [[lackwit]] fool at the [[Twins]].{{Ref|ACOK|Appendix}}
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* Ser [[Dontos Hollard]], a drunken [[knight]] made fool.{{Ref|ACOK|2}}
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* [[Wyman Manderly]]'s fool.{{Ref|ADWD|29}}
 
* [[Moon Boy]], the royal fool of the court at [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|AGOT|29}}
 
* [[Moon Boy]], the royal fool of the court at [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|AGOT|29}}
 
* [[Patchface]], a lackwit fool and former slave from [[Volantis]], now serving at [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|ACOK|0}}
 
* [[Patchface]], a lackwit fool and former slave from [[Volantis]], now serving at [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|ACOK|0}}
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* [[Paxter Redwyne]]'s fool.{{Ref|AFFC|15}}
 
* [[Shagwell]], a psychotic jester and member of the [[Brave Companions]].{{Ref|ACOK|47}}
 
* [[Shagwell]], a psychotic jester and member of the [[Brave Companions]].{{Ref|ACOK|47}}
* [[Wyman Manderly]]'s fool, used by one of [[Betharios of Braavos]]'s handmaids to gather information for [[Symond Frey]].{{Ref|ADWD|29}}
 
*[[Benjicot]], the fool and jester at the [[Gates of the Moon]].<ref name=Winds>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Alayne I (The Winds of Winter)|Alayne I]]</ref>
 
  
 
===Historical fools===
 
===Historical fools===
* [[Florian the Fool]], a great fool and a great [[knight]] of legend.{{Ref|AGOT|66}}
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* [[Florian the Fool]], a legendary great fool and [[knight]].{{Ref|AGOT|66}}
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* A [[dwarf]] jester serving [[House Fowler]] of [[Skyreach]].{{Ref|ADWD|33}}
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* The [[Goodwife]], the first fool at the [[Red Keep]].{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
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* [[Rodrik Greyjoy (son of Dalton)|Rodrik Greyjoy]], a [[salt son]] of Lord [[Dalton Greyjoy]], later fool at [[Casterly Rock]].{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
 
* [[Lord Monkeyface]], Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]]'s fool.{{Ref|FAB|Three Heads had the Dragon - Governance under Aegon I}}
 
* [[Lord Monkeyface]], Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]]'s fool.{{Ref|FAB|Three Heads had the Dragon - Governance under Aegon I}}
* The [[Goodwife]], the first [[court fool]] at the [[Red Keep]].{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
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* [[Lord Toad]], a hunchbacked fool at [[Casterly Rock]] during the time of Lord [[Gerold Lannister]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons}}
* Lord Swann's fool.{{ref|THK}}
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* [[Theomore Manderly]]'s fool.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}
* [[Tom Turnip]], a court fool during the late reign of King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
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* [[Mushroom]], a dwarf fool at the courts of [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys I]],{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}} [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]],{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]],{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}} and [[Aegon III Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
* [[Mushroom]], a [[dwarf]] fool of the court at King [[Viserys I Targaryen]] in [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}} Lived through the reign of King [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] and [[Aegon III Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
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* [[Gawen Swann]]'s fool.{{Ref|THK}}
* [[Rodrik Greyjoy (son of Dalton)|Rodrik Greyjoy]], a [[salt son]] of Lord [[Dalton Greyjoy]], later court fool at [[Casterly Rock]].{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency]]
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* [[Tom Turnip]], a fool during the late reign of King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
*[[Lord Toad]], a hunchbacked fool at [[Casterly Rock]] during the time of Lord [[Gerold Lannister]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons}}
 
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
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{{Quote|Fools are meant to be laughed at, where is the harm in that?{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}|[[Saera Targaryen]] to [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]}}
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{{Quote|Only I could lighten [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Her Grace's]] heart. In [[Dance of the Dragons|this dark hour]], I became the queen's counselor, setting aside my fool's sceptre and pointed hat to lend her all my wisdom and compassion. Unbeknownst to all, it was the jester who ruled them now, an invisible king in motley.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}|[[Mushroom]] in his ''[[The Testimony of Mushroom|Testimony]]''}}
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{{Quote|'''Duncan''': You must think me an utter fool.<br>
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'''Tanselle''': All men are fools, and all men are [[knight]]s.{{Ref|THK}}|[[Duncan the Tall]] and [[Tanselle]]}}
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{{Quote|We have found the most splendid fool. [[Patchface|Only a boy]], yet nimble as a monkey and witty as a dozen courtiers. He juggles and riddles and does magic, and he can sing prettily in four tongues. We have bought his freedom and hope to bring him home with us. [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] will be delighted with him, and perhaps in time he will even teach [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] how to laugh.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}|[[Steffon Baratheon]] writing to [[Cressen]]}}
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{{Quote|I hear all sorts of things as a fool that I never heard when I was a [[knight]]. They talk as though I am not there.{{Ref|ACOK|52}}|[[Dontos Hollard]] to [[Sansa Stark]]}}
 
{{Quote|I hear all sorts of things as a fool that I never heard when I was a [[knight]]. They talk as though I am not there.{{Ref|ACOK|52}}|[[Dontos Hollard]] to [[Sansa Stark]]}}
  
{{Quote|All men are fools, if truth be told, but the ones in motley are more amusing than the ones with [[crown]]s.{{Ref|ASOS|6}}|[[Olenna Redwyne]] to [[Sansa Stark]]}}
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{{Quote|All men are fools, if truth be told, but the ones in motley are more amusing than the ones with [[crown]]s.{{Ref|ASOS|6}}|[[Olenna Tyrell]] to [[Sansa Stark]]}}
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
{{References}}
 
{{References}}
  
[[Category:Jesters]]
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[[Category:Jesters| ]]
  
 
[[es:Bufón]]
 
[[es:Bufón]]
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[[fr:Bouffon]]
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[[pt:Bobo da Corte]]
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[[zh:弄臣]]

Revision as of 13:08, 5 July 2022

Moon Boy by Henning Ludvigsen © Fantasy Flight Games

A fool or jester is a comic entertainer of nobles and their guests at court.

Culture

Mushroom by Douglas Wheatley ©

Jesters use storytelling, japes,[1] juggling,[2] music,[3] acrobatics,[2] and other skills to entertain their audiences. Fools often wear brightly colored motley[3][4] and fanciful head-wear.[5][6] Slave jesters in Volantis have their faces tattooed in motley.[7]

Fools are often considered lackwits and simpletons,[8] but many are quite witty.[5][9] Nobles often overlook fools and speak freely in their company.[10][11]

The Fool's Gate is one of the gates of Maidenpool,[12] a town connected with the legendary Florian the Fool.[4] A fool is depicted in the arms of House Falwell. The iron figurehead of Joso's Prank is a laughing jester's face.[13]

History

Florian the Fool was a legendary fool and knight associated with Jonquil and Maidenpool.[4]

Lord Rupert Falwell, a famed member of the Faith Militant, was known as the Fighting Fool.[14]

The Goodwife was the first fool to serve at the Red Keep.[15]

Prince Baelon Targaryen called himself the Silver Fool while disguised as mystery knight in a tourney at Old Oak.[16]

Forrest Frey was mocked as "Fool Frey" after boldly asking for the hand of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen.[17]

Mushroom was a fool who served Rhaenyra during the Dance of the Dragons. Because he was considered a lackwit by many, nobles often spoke freely around him. The Testimony of Mushroom details his recollections of the court.[10]

Lord Steffon Baratheon purchased Patchface in Volantis and freed him from slavery, but the talented boy became a lackwit after nearly drowning in Shipbreaker Bay.[5]

When Gerion Lannister sailed for Valyria in search of Brightroar, Lord Tywin Lannister referred to it as a "fool's quest".[18]

The fool of Lord Renly Baratheon made japes about the singing of Brienne of Tarth.[1] Lord Paxter Redwyne's fool made fun of Samwell Tarly when the youth visited the Arbor.[9]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Butterbumps by Joel Micah Harris ©

Ser Brynden Tully refers to the vain court of his niece, Lady Lysa Arryn, at the Eyrie as a "fool's festival".[19]

A Clash of Kings

King Joffrey I Baratheon strips knighthood from Ser Dontos Hollard and proclaims him a fool lower than Moon Boy.[20][21] Dontos comes to believe that Moon Boy is secretly employed by Lord Varys.[11]

During Renly Baratheon's feast at Bitterbridge, a plump fool chases a dwarf to entertain the guests.[22]

To distract nobles during the Battle of the Blackwater, Moon Boy walks on stilts and Dontos rides a broomstick horse.[23]

A Storm of Swords

Butterbumps juggles and sings when Sansa Stark has supper with Olenna Tyrell and her granddaughter, Margaery.[3]

During the Red Wedding, Catelyn Stark kills Jinglebell, the fool at the Twins.[24]

A Feast for Crows

Brienne of Tarth searches for Dontos and Sansa, since the two disappeared from King's Landing after Joffrey's death;[25] Brienne does not know that Dontos was killed in Blackwater Bay.[26] A pious dwarf tells her of a motley fool he had seen at Maidenpool,[27] and Dick Crabb escorts her to Crackclaw Point in search of this fool. When they arrive at the Whispers, Brienne learns she has been tracking the murderous Shagwell, one of the Brave Companions.[28]

A Dance with Dragons

A handmaid of Betharios of Braavos sleeps with the fool of Lord Wyman Manderly to gather information for Symond Frey.[29]

Known Fools

Fools at the end of the third century

Historical fools

Quotes

Fools are meant to be laughed at, where is the harm in that?[16]

Only I could lighten Her Grace's heart. In this dark hour, I became the queen's counselor, setting aside my fool's sceptre and pointed hat to lend her all my wisdom and compassion. Unbeknownst to all, it was the jester who ruled them now, an invisible king in motley.[39]

Duncan: You must think me an utter fool.
Tanselle: All men are fools, and all men are knights.[41]

We have found the most splendid fool. Only a boy, yet nimble as a monkey and witty as a dozen courtiers. He juggles and riddles and does magic, and he can sing prettily in four tongues. We have bought his freedom and hope to bring him home with us. Robert will be delighted with him, and perhaps in time he will even teach Stannis how to laugh.[5]

I hear all sorts of things as a fool that I never heard when I was a knight. They talk as though I am not there.[11]

All men are fools, if truth be told, but the ones in motley are more amusing than the ones with crowns.[3]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 45, Catelyn VI.
  2. 2.0 2.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 62, Sansa VII.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 6, Sansa I.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 21, Jaime III.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 A Clash of Kings, Prologue.
  6. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 49, Catelyn VI.
  7. The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: Volantis.
  8. 8.0 8.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 29, Sansa II.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 15, Samwell II.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 52, Sansa IV.
  12. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 25, Brienne V.
  13. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 71, Daenerys VI.
  14. Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.
  15. 15.0 15.1 Fire & Blood, A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade.
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
  17. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son.
  18. 18.0 18.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 33, Tyrion VIII.
  19. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 40, Catelyn VII.
  20. 20.0 20.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 2, Sansa I.
  21. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 18, Sansa II.
  22. 22.0 22.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 22, Catelyn II.
  23. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 60, Sansa VI.
  24. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 51, Catelyn VII.
  25. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 4, Brienne I.
  26. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 61, Sansa V.
  27. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 9, Brienne II.
  28. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 20, Brienne IV.
  29. 29.0 29.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 29, Davos IV.
  30. The Winds of Winter, Alayne I
  31. A Clash of Kings, Appendix.
  32. A Clash of Kings, Prologue.
  33. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 47, Arya IX.
  34. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 66, Bran VII.
  35. 35.0 35.1 Fire & Blood, The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency.
  36. Fire & Blood, Three Heads had the Dragon - Governance under Aegon I.
  37. The World of Ice & Fire, The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons.
  38. Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
  39. 39.0 39.1 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold.
  40. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II.
  41. 41.0 41.1 The Hedge Knight.