We Are All Fools By: Kathleen Glockner

A few months ago, before our plans in England were rudely interrupted by COVID-19, I imagined us laughing over coffee and talking about the wonderful time we had in Europe. We would have been writing about the books stores and beer and posting pictures and discussing Shakespeare’s life in England. But alas that was not the case. I miss our dinner parties dearly and would give anything to be sitting in a circle doing readings and drinking tea together.

Just as the Black Plague swept through Europe, spreading on contact with the infected flees, COVID-19 is commonly spread through close contact with other people. In Europe, they experienced a vast decrease in population. As well as, a shortage of necessary workers and food shortages. The similarities are enormous. People “abandoned their friends and family, fled cities, and shut themselves off from the world” (Brown University “Decameron Web” 2010). After the 1342 plague, many of the religious clergy died and others lost faith in religion due to the dire circumstances. Here, Churches have resorted to online religious services to show their faith in God but belief in human illness. How ironic is it that the plague we would have learned so much about transformed their lives so similar to how COVID-19 is affecting ours?

Most of my days have spent training for the upcoming cross-country season and doing schoolwork. In the mornings, I drive to a trail. It’s become my favorite part of the day because it’s often the only time I will leave my house during the day. Then I come home and drag myself onto D2l. I am sorely lacking motivation. Everything happened so fast. One minute I was looking out the window as the snow buried my car thinking about going sledding, and the next, I was packing up my room and driving home to Chicago wondering when I’d be back. I’m constantly reminded of how unpredictable life is and our need for humor in trying times. Shakespeare is the perfect remedy. Every day I think about who I would be if we had gone to England. Would I be any different? I’m not sure. We won’t ever know. But, it’s fun to think about. There hasn’t been much to think about other than finishing the semester and finding my next Netflix series to binge-watch. I’ve had about enough of Too Hot to Handle, Outer Banks, All American, and Grey’s Anatomy. I think it’s time I start reading some new books.

It’s times like these that we need Shakespeare’s wit and insight the most. King John was perfect because it was comparable to our current political situation and no one knows what to do. Through Philip, the high-class Bastard’s witty humor and political criticisms, Shakespeare reveals how you can do your best to prevent unfavorable outcomes, however, your best option is to plan as best you can, but not live in fear… of COVID-19. As I read King John, I was captivated by the Bastard and his purpose. Compared to other plays like King Lear, the Bastard is treated very differently. He wasn’t the abused wretch the Bastard is in many of Shakespeare’s other plays. Instead, he is a part of King John’s entourage. He becomes one of the most impactful characters in the play. Philip the Bastard’s proclamation, “This England never did nor never shall/Lie at the proud foot of a conqueror/But when it first did help to wound itself./[...] Naught shall make us rue,/If England to itself do rest but true”(5.7.118-120; 123-124), is the epitome of the anti-quarantiners. In current translation: we are loyal patriots and won’t be defeated by Corona. People need to stick together and prevent the government from separating us.

While the play is about the inheritance and power, the Bastard embodies humor, courage, and mastery. The Bastard serves as a hero. It seems like Shakespeare uses the Bastard to criticize inheritance, social climbing, pompous ass’, and is quite canny. He is like one life lesson after another. Especially in Act 2 Scene 1 when he talks about making the world go around is a form of selfishness, playing to the cliché “if you can’t beat em’ join em’”, especially if you want to keep moving up in life.

But what’s funny is, he makes fun of poor values and the foolish institutions their society conforms to, while minimally noting the foolish purpose cynically. The Bastard does it in such a witty way, normally involving a double meaning. He can get away with such foolishness because his purpose is valued. The Bastard serves a similar purpose to the Fool in King Lear. While the Fool protects and obliges King Lear, he also uses sarcasm and humor to poke fun of his master’s faults. When the Fool says, “Marry, here’s grace and a codpiece—that’s a wise man and a fool” (3.2.39-41) in response to Kent, inadvertently calling King Lear the Fool and himself the wise man. Philip the Bastard and the Fool provide clarity and perspective. In our case, while it’s important to keep the population safe, at what cost? The nonconformers seem to be the Fool trying to revolt yet remain loyal to their government. The Bastard and the Fool are wiser than their superiors, another poke at royalty by Shakespeare. Philip the Bastard reveals how closely our current political situation is related to King John.

Philip the Bastard represents the masses of people that won’t conform to social distancing because he is challenging King John’s authority. King John symbolizes local Federalism because the government is challenging our freedom to choose, while seeing how the people will react to this imposition. When the Ambassador of France is sent back with a declaration of war, this is when the similarities become most clear. The people and the local government are in conflict all over the world, specifically the people refusing to adhere to social distancing and the government. Both are in conflict undecided about what to do. It’s funny because in the United States we are supposed to have complete separation of Church and State. But the Pope represents the central government in this play and King John represents the local government. It’s paradoxical.

At this point, if we can’t reconcile social distancing, the second wave will hit. Our end will parallel King John’s. Both the government and the people both want this epidemic to end. But we can’t seem to come to a conclusion. The second spike could well be worse than the first. King John’s certainly was. As Ben Franklin said and I’m sure the nonconformists would agree, “Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Just because you’re the fool, doesn’t mean you’re stupid. In the end, there is no real absolute defense against the unpredictability of unforeseen obstacles in King John or with the current pandemic. For King John this obstacle is Philip the Bastard. For the current world population, it’s COVID-19.

Works Cited:

“Decameron Web.” Decameron Web | Plague, Brown University ,

www.brown.edu/Departments/Italian_Studies/dweb/plague/effects/social.php.

SHAKESPEARE, WILLIAM. KING JOHN. JA, 2018.

Shakespeare, William. King Lear. Sweet Cherry Publishing, 2013.