Jar-Jar Binks: Modern-Day Shakespearean Comic Relief?

Of the few things that I actually enjoy about Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Jar-Jar Binks has to be on the top of my list. Jar-Jar is one of my favorite things about the film because he brings such a unique sense of humor to an otherwise disappointing piece of film. His wacky personality combined with his idiotic dialogue is an excellent pair--almost like a fine wise and a nice chunk of cheese.

Taking a deeper look at Jar-Jar, could there be something more here than just a funny character. I would contend that Jar-Jar is a great example of Shakespearean comic relief because he adds humor to a tense situation. Just like the Porter from Shakespeare's play "Macbeth", Jar-Jar is so crucial to the development of Episode I because he helps to deepen the viewers connection to the narrative through his humor. 

Moreover, I think that this is the perfect topic for this blog post because comic relief is a very archaic and traditional literary technique that has been used for hundreds of years. It's important to recognize how film masters of today's world are harking back to the masters of the 14th and 15th centuries. 

How do you feel about Jar-Jar's role in Episode I? Do you think it works well?