The extraordinary events of January 6th this year (2021) will probably live in our minds for a long time to come. The so called storming of the Capitol building in Washington DC was an event likened by the mainstream media and some congressmen as an insurrection that will go down in history as a day of infamy.
Was it a 'storming', an 'insurrection', an 'affront' to the American Republic, or was it a false reality enacted on mass media and FaceBook? Was it a circus that would up-stage all other performances to become the greatest show on earth? If there were no human tragedies leading to tragic deaths, would it seem like just some fantastic theatrical event staged in one of the most iconic venues on the planet.
In the picture above we see Jake Angeli on the mezzanine level of the congressional chamber wearing a buffalo/Viking hat complete with horns and animal fur. This is a Man (Oops! - not supposed to say gendered pronouns in the congressional chamber) who looks like he is a refugee from "Burning Man" (Oop, did it again). Jake proudly displayed a conglomeration of tattoos emblazoned across his half naked body. In his hands he clasped the Stars and Stripes on one side and a megaphone in the other.
He is a not so successful actor often frequenting Stop The Steal rallies and ANTIFA riots. It would seem that he is someone full of contradictions; he is sometimes called 'Antifa Jake' and sometimes a 'QAnon Shaman'. What is certain is that he does not fit the typical profile of either identity. It would seem that he is the proverbial fool or the jester in the King's (Oops) court who, like the modern political cartoonist, ironically depicts the antics of the powers-that-be. The jester uses the ridiculous in such a way that it breaks through the serious reality of the moment with laughter and bewilderment.
Normally, I would review a book in this blog but this time I will be using some of the ideas that I have gleaned from two Johnathan Pageau videos (follow the hyperlinks below) on YouTube. In each of the videos he discusses the symbolism and role of the jester, joker, fool and comedian in modern and historical contexts.
When the world seems to be upside-down and nothing seems to make sense the
joker, jester, fool, or even the comedian can flip reality in such a way that our contradictory, post-modern world can be flipped over. Consequently, there is a possibility that a new reality can break through the masks that we often wear (so to speak - LOL) and real change can be realised. Thus, the role of the
fool can be for better (or for the worse).
For example,
Ricky Gervais, at the 2020 Golden Globe awards gave the opening epic monologue that stunned the celebrity audience with jests like "So if you do win an award tonight don't use it as a platform make a political speech. You're in no position to lecture the public about anything." And then, "You know nothing about the real world. Most of you spent less time at school than Gretha Thunburg." While many of the celebrities in the audience looked like they had been struck by a frozen mullet many viewers applauded his honesty and bravado by uncovering the hypocrisy and false virtue.
In the card illustration above there is a typical joker prancing around in clownish apparel. You can imagine the King watching and laughing with the audience while taking their cue from the king as to whether or not is is safe to laugh along with the monarch. Again, notice that the double image of the king can be flipped so that it can be viewed top-down or bottom-up. Is this like the story of the 'Emporer's new clothes' - no one would dare to disagree with the king. Only the jester could do this with laughter and when the emperor realises the truth he can go along with the joke and save face. But, what is certain is that his reality will have been changed.
In many card games the joker actually becomes the 'trump' card. The question at this time is (12th Jan, 2021), is Donald Trump the joker card that flips the great game. Is he the one that begins to flip the up-side down world that we inhabit. Certainly, he was made to look the fool by the biased media but, like Ricky Gervais, will he in essence, turn things around and enable us all to see reality differently.
Johnathan Pageau demonstrates how the symbology of the story of Christ on the cross. Jesus is whipped and stripped of his clothes and nailed to the wooden cross. A crown made of thorns is placed on his head and he is mocked and his clothes are divided by lot amongst the soldiers. In a strange way he becomes the fool that flips the world view of that time in such a way that his death and resurrection becomes the source of eternal life for believers and empowers the change needed to create a new world order.
