Supper and Jorge's Rebuke

At supper, William and Adso sit at the abbot's table with Jorge and other monks. The reading from the Rule condemns laughter and jesting, leading to a sharp exchange between William and Jorge about whether Christ ever laughed. William argues that laughter is proper to man and can be a tool for truth, while Jorge insists it is a sign of folly and doubt. The abbot introduces William to the monks and formally charges him with investigating Adelmo's death.