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Quiz about The Trivial Profession of Court Jester
Quiz about The Trivial Profession of Court Jester

The Trivial Profession of Court Jester Quiz


Okay, I admit it, the title is a pun. Just look at the Fun Trivia avatar at the top of the page! This will be the second in a series of unusual professions that are not seen today. Have fun with the quiz and let me entertain you!

A multiple-choice quiz by dcpddc478. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
dcpddc478
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
325,041
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
1133
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. The points on the three or four pointed hat often seen on images of jesters (like the one on Fun trivia) were said to represent what animal part? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. It is a modern myth that the court jester often worn brightly colored outfits with bells and tassels.


Question 3 of 10
3. Jesters often carried a fake sceptre called a marotte. What image was often carved on the end of a marotte? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Feste, the court jester, appears in which of Shakespeare's comedies? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. What was the right that court jesters were often granted, that was not given to anyone else in the kingdom? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Those with physical deformities or mental deficiencies were often used as court jesters and were called natural fools. What was the proper term for someone trained to be a court jester? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. What was the title for a female court jester? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Which Scottish king was tricked by his jester into signing a letter of abdication in the 16th century? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. While most of us are somewhat familiar with the image of the court jester in the English court, which of the following countries also has a long history of using court jester albeit by another name? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. It is often claimed the joker in a deck of playing cards is symbolic of the court jester.



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The points on the three or four pointed hat often seen on images of jesters (like the one on Fun trivia) were said to represent what animal part?

Answer: Donkey's Tail

These points were emblematic of donkey's tails. At one time court jesters also wore a donkey tail on their backsides! Donkeys or asses have long been a symbol of simple mindedness and tom-foolery in Western societies.
2. It is a modern myth that the court jester often worn brightly colored outfits with bells and tassels.

Answer: False

This is no myth...modern or otherwise. A court jester's clothing was often made from left-over materials from ladies' gowns. No two were alike. Tassels, beads, bells, and jet were all used for decoration. Brightly colored shoes and hats were part of the outfit. They were intended to look loud and funny.
3. Jesters often carried a fake sceptre called a marotte. What image was often carved on the end of a marotte?

Answer: The jester himself

The image was usually a head, most often of the jester himself. It was sometimes called a bauble. This wooden implement was painted in bright colors and often had satin ribbons attached.
4. Feste, the court jester, appears in which of Shakespeare's comedies?

Answer: Twelfth Night

Feste appears in "Twelfth Night". He is Countess Olivia's jester and his role in this work is an example of how the jester held a unique position in the house of the aristocracy and royalty. Although a servant, he was free to come and go and occasionally entertained at another residence.

He is referred to as the fool and his character is not taken seriously by any other person in the story.
5. What was the right that court jesters were often granted, that was not given to anyone else in the kingdom?

Answer: They could answer back or rebuke the king.

Court jesters were allowed to rebuke, deride, or insult the king. It was part of their role in court. There are records of Queen Elizabeth I threatening her court jester with whipping if he did not do these things. It was a precarious profession because on any given day a court jester could be severely punished for doing these very same things. Punishments ranged from loss of position in court to hanging.
6. Those with physical deformities or mental deficiencies were often used as court jesters and were called natural fools. What was the proper term for someone trained to be a court jester?

Answer: Licensed fool

There were two kinds of court jesters. The "natural fool" was someone mentally deficient who did things that were found amusing by the king and/or his court and was believed to be divinely inspired. The "licensed fool" engaged in his behavior by regal decree. He usually had a large repertoire of tricks and skills such as juggling and gymnastics. Midgets and dwarfs were also often used.
7. What was the title for a female court jester?

Answer: jestress

The proper term for a female jester was a jestress. While not as common as male jesters they are mentioned occasionally in literature and records of the time. Jestresses were very often schizophrenic or mentally deficient. They were not often given the right to rebuke the king as most would not have understood what was expected of them.
8. Which Scottish king was tricked by his jester into signing a letter of abdication in the 16th century?

Answer: James VI

King James VI was well known for letting his court jester read all paperwork and then advise him whether he should sign the paper or not. In an effort to prove a point, his court jester George Buchanan advised the king he should sign an abdication decree. Without reading the paper the king did so. Fifteen days later he realized what he had done and had the paper destroyed.

The court jester got his point across.
9. While most of us are somewhat familiar with the image of the court jester in the English court, which of the following countries also has a long history of using court jester albeit by another name?

Answer: China

China has employed a "you" in their Imperial Court for centuries. The primary difference between the Chinese and the European court jester was the freedom to freely rebuke the ruler. While in Europe, especially England, it was encouraged, it was taboo in China.
10. It is often claimed the joker in a deck of playing cards is symbolic of the court jester.

Answer: True

This is a common unprovable claim. But it is very likely as the jester played a role with royalty unrivalled in court. They were supposed to have no bias in religion, politics, or love matches. Many card companies' emblem on the joker card does portray a man in a costume that matches those worn by court jesters.
Source: Author dcpddc478

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Snowman before going online.
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