Why Beetlejuice is considered a Dumb Character
Beetlejuice is a ghostly character featured in the famous 1988 movie of the same name. Despite the movie’s success, Beetlejuice has still been considered a lesser character due to his unusual, often bone-headed antics. Here are some of the primary reasons Beetlejuice is considered a dumb character:
He’s easily outsmarted
Beetlejuice’s schemes and plans always have an air of unpredictability and chaos, and often don’t pan out due to his own forgetfulness or lack of foresight. Furthermore, he’s often outsmarted by other characters, including the lead protagonists. This combination of foolishness and lack of tactical understanding make Beetlejuice an easy target for ridicule.
He’s often childish
Beetlejuice is prone to fits of immaturity, from minor pranks to putting his own selfish desires before helping others. For example, in the scene where he kidnaps the dinner party guests, he gleefully proclaims, “I’m taking you all on a ride!” In this instance, he prioritizes his own pleasure over their safety, which makes for a classic example of his juvenile mischief.
He lacks basic understanding
Beetlejuice’s lack of understanding of the world around him often results in miscommunications and blunders. For example, when he’s making dinner for Lydia, he mistakenly refuses to accept her help with dinner, to which she retorts, “You know I’m the hostess, right?” Such a mistake is indicative of Beetlejuice’s lack of basic understanding of social norms.
Overall, Beetlejuice’s silly antics and lack of understanding of his environment make him a prime target for ridicule. Fortunately, these same characteristics also make him endearing, which is why he’s still an iconic part of the movie.
4. How does Beetlejuice’s foolish behavior contribute to the plot?
Beetlejuice’s foolish behavior is often humorous, chaotic, and a bit reckless. His behavior creates a madcap adventure for the characters, often inspiring a need for the Maitlands and the Deetzes to work together to outsmart him. His antics also act as a catalyst for the film’s central themes of appreciation for the afterlife and learning to accept the unexpected. By pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable, Beetlejuice keeps everyone on their toes and introduces an element of chaos that helps move the plot forward.
2. What makes Beetlejuice a comedic character?
Beetlejuice is a comedic character because of his unique style, outrageous behavior, and humorous catchphrases. He is portrayed as a mischievous, yet lovable troublemaker with a penchant for the dramatic. His unpredictable behavior, often bordering on the absurd, has viewers laughing and groaning in equal measure. He is also known for his rapid-fire delivery of snarky one-liners, irreverent jokes, and sarcastic remarks, which have become iconic in pop culture.
5. What challenges does Beetlejuice face throughout the film?
Beetlejuice faces several key challenges throughout the film, including: convincing the Maitlands and the Deetzes to form an alliance to drive the Deetzes out of the Maitland’s house; helping the Maitlands adjust to their new “afterlife”; and defending them from the Deetzes, who have hired a “bio-exorcist”, Otho, to expel him from the house. Through Beetlejuice’s wacky, often inappropriate antics and creative problem solving, he is ultimately able to overcome all of these obstacles, uniting the Maitlands and the Deetzes in the process.