The 'But Doctor, I Am Pagliacci' meme stems from a classic joke famously recounted by the character Rorschach in Alan Moore’s graphic novel Watchmen. It describes a depressed man seeking medical help, only to be told that the cure for his sadness is to go see a famous clown, to which he reveals he is that very performer. This narrative highlights the 'sad clown paradox,' where individuals who provide joy to others often struggle with their own internal gloom. In internet culture, the meme is used to express irony, hidden burnout, and the disconnect between public performance and private reality, often appearing in multi-panel comics or as a poignant punchline for relatable sadness.