Position:Home>Theater & Acting> What does this Shakespearean statement mean?

Jaques is begging permission from his Duke to speak candidly, without repercussions, as a Fool does (Motley is the garment of the Jester)!.

He is stating that only a Fool can tell the truth, beause no-one listens to a Fool, but, if he (Jaques), were given the freedom to speak as a Fool , he would cure all the World's ills, IF, (and only if), they would listen!.

This is wonderful passage for Jaques as a character!. It gives him depth beyond the "Melancholy Jaques" character trap that far too many actors fall in to!.

In this sequence, Jaques is delighted to have met a superior wit (in the Wilderness, no less), and is avid for the chance to tell his Duke about his encounter!. He is crowing!.

Shakespeare uses this passage to remark about the fearlessness of the Fool, and also about the envy of a Courtier!. That he chose Jaques to give this polemic, this, if you would, manifesto, speaks a great deal about the life of Jaques!. He is not "melancholy", he is just simply tired!.

Of everything!.

Until he met Touchstone!. Boo-Yahh!

It ends sadly for Jaques, BTWWww@QuestionHome@Com

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"Invest me in my motley; give me leave = let me say my humble words

To speak my mind, and I will through and through = let me speak my ideas

Cleanse the foul body of the infected world, = I do not want to speak the same crap everyone else is saying

If they will patiently receive my medicine!." = I want to help others by what I have to say
Www@QuestionHome@Com

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The way to really understand what is being said in any of the Bard's plays is to read the dialogue around it to gain an understanding of the context!. Once you do this you should understand well!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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i think it is something like let me leaveWww@QuestionHome@Com

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