It was cruel that his extreme unhappiness should have in it something of buffoonery.

老天也真是残忍，竟让他这种无限凄怆悲惨带上某种滑稽可笑的成分。

It can take innumerable forms, from buffoonery to the pursuit of posthumous fame.

它可以有无数表现形式，从插科打挥到追求死后的名声。