AFTER a shock, there is humor. In the shadow puppet performance, or wayang kulit, humor is performed after the goro gorowhen the world is shaken and the sky trembles so that the stars are extinguished and hills and forests seem to be flying. This scene of chaos is quickly followed by the arrival of the clowns: Petruk, Gareng, Bagong and Semar.

In King Lear Shakespeare also brings on the Fool after the old king has dramatically left the palace and