The Didactic Function of the Fool in the Book of Qohelet

Abstract

This article studies the texts in which Qohelet refers to fool and foolish.
Rhetoric, syntax and figures of language will be analyzed, as well as the development of the argumentation. Qoheletian criticism is not done in an organic way, but follows the sometimes chaotic rhythm of real life, perhaps as a strategy to keep the disciple / reader watchful and open to new discoveries on their own. In the various facets proposed by Qohelet, it is possible to glimpse the damage that the fool promotes in society. As a conclusion of this article, a brief systematization and the importance of the fool in Qohelet’s argument will be presented.