People Tried in the King's Court
In the chapter "Kingdom of Fools," several characters are brought to trial by the foolish king. The absurdity of the situations highlights the theme of irrationality and the consequences of foolish decisions.
1. The Thief
- Reason for Trial: The thief is apprehended for stealing gold from a wealthy merchant. The king orders his trial because the king himself has a peculiar interest in justice that is devoid of common sense. Instead of punishing the thief for his crime, the king decides to execute him.

2. The Merchant
- Reason for Trial: The merchant is brought to court because the king believes he has been wronged by the thief. However, the twist comes when the king mistakenly thinks the merchant is responsible for the thief's crime. The king's lack of understanding of justice leads to further absurdity in the proceedings.

3. The Guru
- Reason for Trial: The guru, who is an innocent bystander, is accused of being the cause of the unrest in the kingdom. The king, swayed by the opinions of his advisors, believes that the guru's teachings have led to the rise of crime in his realm. This reflects the irrational fear of knowledge and wisdom in a foolish society.

4. The Foolish King Himself
- Reason for Trial: Ultimately, the king’s decisions and actions result in him being judged by the very foolishness he embodies. His inability to see the truth of the situations leads to chaos in the kingdom, portraying the notion that those in power can also be subject to their own folly.
The trials in the "Kingdom of Fools" serve as a satirical commentary on the nature of justice and the dangers of irrational governance.