As someone who always questioned what a clown really is, on a level deeper than the surface, I decided to do my research and understand the meaning of the word beyond what is talked about or already known. I found that the word alone can lead to many roads of meaning, etymology and connection, so we will be exploring each one of them.
First, it’s important to understand the basic definition of the word “clown”. According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, a clown is primarily an entertainer who wears funny clothes, a large red nose and does silly things to make people laugh. Figuratively, the term can describe someone who behaves in a foolish or silly manner, such as a "class clown" who amuses others with antics. Aside from the funny, silly acts of a clown, though, the meaning can, informally and disapprovingly, also refer to a person considered bad or incompetent, either that is an acquaintance, a coworker/colleague, or even a political face/group.
In a circus, which is a company of performers who put on diverse entertainment shows, is where you most certainly would find clowns, as well as other professionals such as acrobats, dancers and musicians. A clown, therefore, is an entertainer. He performs and his main goal is to bring joy and laughter to his crowd. But, in psychology we find that putting people’s joy above your own leads to burnout and exhaustion, identity loss and resentment. A clown is seen as a happy and silly personality, but in reality, when you’re looked down on and are viewed as a “joke”, that can lead to behaviours that contradict the act/performance, and bring feeling such as sadness and depression, anger, bitterness, envy, etc to the surface.
And that’s exactly where the word “paradox” enters the equation.
In the famous painting “Stańczyk”, made by the polish painter Jan Matejko, we can see the paradox clearly. The jester who inspired this painting is depicted sitting alone, with his head hanging down, looking skeptical as well as sorrowful with a sense of isolation and hopelessness, which reflects the political situation of Poland during the 19th century. Court jester to several Renaissance-era Polish kings, Stańczyk was said to be a man of extraordinary wisdom. Not afraid to wield his satirical wit to criticize those in power, he came to personify the fight for truth over hypocrisy and even Poland’s struggle for independence. Jesters were not taken seriously, and evidently were not regarded as equals, by the people they worked for, although they were typically well-educated, highly intelligent, and sharp-witted, which explains their talent in comedy. In this case, by seating him apart from the rest of the court, the painter emphasizes that only Stańczyk foresees that the war will be disastrous for Poland. You could perhaps say he was seeking isolation from all the people he himself viewed as “clowns”.
The subtle behaviours of the Clown.
In continuation of our research we discover that the word “clown” isn’t always used as an insult. It can be somebody that lacks personality, authenticity and/or identity. Those who adapt to everyone’s needs while neglecting their own. A clown is simply a performer. The makeup is exaggerated on purpose, hence why most clowns look the same, no matter who is hiding beneath the act. Somebody who adopts behaviours or opinions of others to avoid forming their own could also be included to the meaning of the word. A clown always wears a smile, but never feels deeply or truly. People enjoy their “show” because they feel superior to them. Perhaps more serious or mature.
The real question here is: “Who’s the actual clown in this situation?”
The answer is → Both!
1. Neglecting the self/identity for others’ entertainment
2. Superiority – Inferiority dynamic. False idea that you’re “better” or above others (potentially because of status or egotistical nature)
In the second point, we can also say that people who judge others just so they can fit in with their own “superiors”, also implies that they feel inferior to someone, either that’s a group of people, a partner, a boss at work etc. and so they seek superiority over vulnerable people who could be seen as “clowns” by society. But performing as somebody “important” or “relevant” just to feel accepted or liked by a desired person or group does not take away the fact that it’s still a performance, so, therefore, they fit into the clown category too.
Regardless of whether you perceive yourself as less, or as more than you really are (egotism), the title remains the same.
And this leads me to my next point.
The Sad Clown Paradox
Many comedians have come forward to admit that they use humor as a way to cope with prior traumas, which influenced the beginning of a study into the psychology behind comedy. More often than not, individuals entertain people for a living whilst battling with issues regarding mental health within their personal lives, and thus beginning the rise of the Sad Clown Paradox. In psychology, this paradox is a contradictory association in performers between comedy and mental disorders. For those affected, early life is characterized by feelings of deprivation and isolation, where comedy evolves as a release of tension, removing feelings of suppressed physical rage through a verbal outlet.
Whilst comedy serves as a coping mechanism to hide trauma, it may also motivate a comedian to use humour as a way of forming relations and gaining acceptance. A parent's immature nature can lead to additional responsibilities forced onto children, which can evoke issues of self-worth and a need for acceptance. The constant search for approval may cause mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. Sad clown paradox is characterised by a cyclothymic temperament (a personality disorder/bipolar III: a mental and behavioural disorder that involves numerous periods of symptoms of depression and periods of symptoms of elevated mood) which encourages the creation of light-hearted humour, despite inner turmoil. We also see this paradox in the painting “Stańczyk” that was mentioned before.
This paradox between laughter/joy and depression/anger can create intense feelings of confusion, mistrust, unease and even fear, which then leads us to:
Coulrophobia, The Fear Of Clowns:
Several factors can be at play in the cause of a person's clown phobia. Clown makeup and costumes often exaggerate certain body parts, such as the nose, feet, and hands. The makeup might also be scary or disturbing. Some people see these characteristics as funny, whereas others see them as unpleasant. To people with a fear of clowns, it may be challenging to identify a clown's true intent and emotion, as its facial expression is painted to make the person seem happy, sad, or scary.
In addition to clowns looking unusual, they often behave differently. These anti-social and off-the-wall traits can further add to feelings of unease. This effect can be observed in how contemporary films have cashed in on the "evil clown" idea, which may further contribute to this phobia.
In movie characters like the Joker and It, this is displayed in a very obvious way. As we clarified above, a clown has no identity, thus he can become anything or anyone through disguise. In the movie “It” specifically, Pennywise exploits the boys’ fears (through their trauma), appearing in terrifying forms, tailored to each of them. No identity, no name, hence why it’s called “It” in the first place.
On the other hand, we have the Joker. His personality is very different to the one of a clown. In fact, it is quite the opposite. He is chaotic and unpredictable, he’s got a twisted sense of humour, he is a master manipulator, lacks empathy and is overall a symbol of anarchy. His laughter and manic expressions serve as a chilling reminder of his deranged mind. He, as well as Pennywise, exploits people’s weaknesses or fears, and pushes them to their limits. Through manipulation, he aims to corrupt the moral fabric of those around him, challenging their beliefs and dragging them into his world of chaos.
In the end, we come to the conclusion that a clown is so much more than we think or expect. It was never just about the circus and the entertainment. The concept of a clown runs deeper, through a psychological route. So let me ask you:
Why do you think that some of the most disturbed mentally and psychologically characters use the disguise of a clown? Why do they portray a happy face when they feel the opposite? Why do they use the mask of an entertainer, when instead of giving people joy, they take it away and instead drown their victims in fear?