"I find it rather easy to portray a businessman. Being bland, rather cruel and incompetent comes naturally to me"
About this Quote
In the quote by John Cleese, "I find it rather simple to portray a business person. Being boring, rather cruel and unskilled comes naturally to me", Cleese makes use of humor to comment on both his acting functions and the stereotyped perception of businesspeople. As a celebrated comic and actor, Cleese is known for his clever use of satire and irony, typically incorporating these elements to supply social commentary.
The first layer of analysis focuses on the nature of acting. Cleese recommends that playing the role of a business owner is not particularly challenging for him, invoking humility and self-deprecation. Here, he confesses to discovering something of himself in the role's qualities: blandness, cruelty, and incompetence. Obviously, the humor lies in the exaggeration and recommendation of individual flaws, which might or might not reflect his true nature. By stating these characteristics come naturally, Cleese uses the comical concept that actors frequently bring into play their own imperfections to boost their efficiencies.
Digging much deeper, the quote suggests a critique of business culture, pointing to a stereotyped view of entrepreneurs as being typical, ruthless, and inefficient. Cleese take advantage of an extensive caricature of the business world where individuals frequently prioritize profit over compassion, efficiency over creativity. By embodying this stereotype, Cleese potentially highlights social issues or criticisms relating to the dehumanizing elements of corporate environments.
Additionally, the humor intrinsic in the quote exposes Cleese's keen awareness of how both people and professions can be pigeonholed, encouraging audiences to question and see beyond these simplified stereotypes. By acknowledging that such traits come easily to him, Cleese cleverly masks a subtle critique within a comedic veneer, engaging audiences to assess both his and their own assumptions about business world. This layered humor, grounded in the absurdity of human nature, is a testimony to Cleese's ability as a comedian and observer of society.
More details
About the Author