You’re a Fool but Hopefully a Holy Fool

Why We Can’t Help But Be Fools

Fools, oddly enough, seem to rear their comedic head in many stories, including hero stories. Jar Jar Binks from Star Wars is perhaps an obvious example, but what about Pippin Took from The Lord of the Rings? Or the often foolish Ronald Weasley in Harry Potter? At the same time, fools are not limited to serious and deep works of literature; they are also the focus of many comedy shows and movies. In fact, comedies quite frequently center around fools. Homer Simpson is a great example. So what’s up with fools? Are they important and, if so, why?

Homer Simpson, The Great Fool

The very first episode of the Simpsons is actually a Christmas episode. Being this close to Christmas, it’s a rather interesting theme that has come to mind. Homer, who practically everyone in the world knows is a fool, very unfortunately doesn’t get his Christmas bonus from work. He’s saddened by that news, “but at least we‘ve been saving money in a jar”, Homer thinks. Him and his wife weren’t complete fools, after all; they’ve been preparing for rainy days by saving money in a jar.

However, very unfortunately (again), Marge is forced to spend the sacred jar money to remove a tattoo that Bart impulsively got. “But at least we have Homer’s Christmas bonus” she…