The Fall Guy
By Tom Saunders
The specific origin of Fall Guy has never been properly identified, leaving the derivation open to any artist's conjecture. Tracing a most likely thread would lead to Adam - - as he was the first Guy, and he took the first Fall. More appropriately, Adam has become the symbolic scapegoat as the first Man to not ask for directions, as well as the firs Man to not follow directions when they were given. Before leaving Adam, an observation must be added, that to this writer's knowledge, there has never been a Fall girl; but, again given early history, Eve would have been the first candidate for listening and following the instructions of a s-s-s-s-s-s-snake----although, as recorded in Genesis, Fall Guy Adam was standing right beside Fall Girl Eve when the Evil One sold the first snake oil, giving snakes everywhere a bad reputation.
In early Greek drama, the Fall Guy became the butt of obvious humor, but much like the King's Court Jester, to follow in later years, the Fall Guy in Greek drama, and feudal times, was usually the wisest man in the King's cabinet who simply used humor misdirection to say the ugly political truths that no one cared to hear. Higher taxes? The Court Jester's job was to make the kingdom laugh about painful news. This style of humor misdirection may well explain today's politicians.
Fast-forward to The Three Stooges, and Fall Guy literally means one who takes the pratfall to distract the audience from the next punch line that is being setup. One of the hallmarks of Fall Guy will always be the one who is willing to take the hit, often including the sacrifice of one's life.
A more obvious role is that of the classic Clown in a rodeo round-pen full of wild-eyed, angry bulls. The Clown's single mission in that arena is to lay down his life for the fallen Cowboy. The Clown is not there to be silly or to entertain. The Clown is in the arena, with bulls that can outrun him, to save the life of the Cowboy --- once again, through misdirection. Wearing a Clown outfit, laced with crimson red, in front of an angry bull, certainly kicks the bar up a couple of notches.
When Jesus was born, God became flesh, as the second perfect Adam, and, in doing so, set up the ultimate pratfall! The very presence of God, first held in Mary's arms, walked among humans as One that few would see, and even fewer would hear. Jesus is, at once, the Court Jester and the Clown, who ultimately gave His life with crimson red, in a one-of-a-kind Passion Play that is still not fully understood by most. The Crucifixion, and the guilt-free zone at the base of the cross, is the second most difficult belief asked of Christians. The greatest test, for Fallen Guys, would be a belief that there is a God, at One with Christ and the Holy Spirit, from the very Beginning, who with one Breath, could create everything from nothing. In the end, Jesus, the Son, who always conceded full authority to His Father, becomes the ultimate definition of The Fall Guy.
May 4, 2018 www.ThomasMinorSaunders.com