A Jest of Kin and Noble Strife

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: A Shakespearean Episode

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: A Shakespearean Episode
Title: A Jest of Kin and Noble Strife
Setting: The grand hall of the Banks’ manor in Bel-Air, adorned with tapestries and gilded candelabras.
A banquet is prepared.


Dramatis Personae:


Will, a witty youth from Philadelphia, newly come to Bel-Air

Philip Banks, patriarch, a judge of stern demeanor

Vivian, his lady wife, gracious and wise

Carlton, their son, a scholar of pomp and circumstance

Ashley, their daughter, sweet and curious

Hilary, their eldest daughter, vain and courtly

Geoffrey, the butler, sharp of tongue

Jazz, Will’s companion, a rogue of mirth


Act I, Scene I


Enter Will, clad in motley garb of vibrant hue, striding boldly into the hall. The Banks family sits at a banquet table, attended by Geoffrey.


Will:
Hail, fair kinsfolk of this gilded seat!
What feast is this, where lords and ladies dine?
In Philadelphia’s streets, we break our bread
With jest and song, not crystal cups of wine!


Philip:
Peace, thou prating knave! Thy tongue doth dance
Too swift for this, our house of sober grace.
What purpose bring’st thou, with thy gaudy vest,
To trouble Bel-Air’s calm and ordered place?


Vivian:
Good husband, soft! The lad is yet our kin.
His heart, though wild, bears love within its core.
Speak, Will, what venture stirs thy restless soul?
What news from westward realms dost thou implore?


Will:
O gentle aunt, thy words do warm my breast!
Yet hear me now, for mischief brews apace.
My friend, one Jazz, a knave of merry bent,
Hath sworn to storm this hall with jesting grace.
He comes anon, with lute and roguish guile,
To woo fair Hilary, and make thee smile!


Hilary:
Fie, villain! Speak’st thou of that base-born cur?
My beauty merits knights of loftier name!
No lute, no jest, no ragamuffin’s rhyme
Shall sway this heart to aught but wealth and fame!


Carlton:
O sister, well thou speak’st! This Jazz, I know,
Is but a shadow to our noble line.
Yet, Will, thy pranks do vex our father’s brow—
Desist, lest banishment be thine by design!
Enter Jazz, strumming a lute, his attire a patchwork of jest and swagger.


Jazz:
All hail, ye lords and ladies of this court!
I, Jazz, am come to weave a merry spell!
Fair Hilary, thou star of Bel-Air’s skies,
One kiss from thee would bid my heart to dwell!


Geoffrey:
Out, saucy knave! Thy boots profane this floor!
Shall I, with broom, expel thee to the gate?
Thy wit is duller than a rusted blade,
And twice as like to meet a wretched fate!


Philip:
Enough! What chaos doth this night beget?
Will, hast thou schemed to mock our house’s name?
This Jazz, this lute, this riot of low mirth—
Shall I, a judge, endure such brazen shame?


Will:
Hold, uncle, prithee! Let not wrath o’ertake
The jesting spirit of our humble play.
In Philadelphia, mirth doth bind our hearts—
Wouldst thou not learn to laugh, as we, today?
Let Jazz perform; let music heal this rift.
A song may yet our heavy spirits lift!


Ashley:
O father, let him sing! I long to hear
What mirth this stranger brings to our dull hall!


Vivian:
Aye, Philip, let the youths their revels keep.
A moment’s joy may soften e’en thy call.


Philip:
So be it, then. But mark me, willful boy—
One note amiss, and banishment’s thy lot!
Play on, thou Jazz, but tread with cautious step,
For Bel-Air’s patience is no trifling jot.


Jazz strikes a chord, and the hall fills with a lively tune. Will joins with a dance, Carlton looks aghast, and Ashley claps. Hilary feigns disdain but sways to the rhythm. Geoffrey rolls his eyes, and Vivian smiles.


Jazz (singing):
O Bel-Air, thou jewel of wealth and might,
Thy halls do gleam beneath the starry light!
Yet love and laughter, free as summer’s breeze,
Shall warm thy heart and set thy soul at ease!


The scene ends with the family caught between mirth and decorum, as Will and Jazz lead a dance. Philip softens, though he masks it with a frown.