talktooloose

I have a new insight about the Marx Brothers. Their amount of verbal fluency is in inverse relationship to their fear of authority.

Groucho, despite the fact that his whole reputation is based on twitting authority with devastating verbiosity, is a nervous character. He is always looking out for the policeman or gangster or thug who is going to take him out. He will run when necessary but when he must confront, he flies into incredible souflees of brilliant insult that I like to quote endlessly. He is the most easily spooked.

Chico, who speaks fake broken English will also flee when he needs to, but in general, he plays the fool, appears to not understand or turns the tables with a relaxed smile. Nothing every really bothers him.

Harpo speaks not at all. Confronted by a man holding a gun to his face, he is likely to leap into the man's arms, honk a horn in his face or hit him with a hammer, a demented glee lighting up his features. If three of the man's accomplices show up, he will stand up to them all. He is immune to the concept of consequence.