The Fool in "King Lear"

Analytical Essay # 27490

English > Analysis
Shakespeare > King Lear

A discussion of the function and effectiveness of the character of the fool in William Shakespeare's "King Lear."

1,440 words () | 0 sources | 2002

Published on: Jun 09, 2003

Paper Summary:

The paper examines how "King Lear" is an epic tragedy, which has been passed down through generations as a masterpiece. It looks at how the mastery does not lay in the character of the work's anti-hero, but in the lowliest servant in the kingdom, the King's fool. It evaluates how because the tragedy is so thick, the fool is needed to provide the leverage the audience needs in order to still obtain a lesson. It analyzes how the fool never ceases to be obvious and blunt with the King and how he is the only one who can do this without being offensive.

From the Paper:

"When discussing how well The Fool aided the King in both the realization and potential correction of his mistakes, we must see the final product of his work throughout the play, which is solely the task of opening his master's eyes in hopes of changing his behavior. Of course, how much could Lear have rerouted his inheritance through a more sensible direction, such as giving his land all to the daughter who loved him most, Cordelia, so as not to break up the kingdom, once the initial damage was done? This would have been nearly impossible to wholly correct, and is what makes the play a sure tragedy. It can be seen how effective The Fool was by his final sightings in Act III, scenes ii, iv, and vii, because as the play proceeds, more and more of his character, and Lear's character are shown, it is just like getting to know a friend, who at first may seem like a simple person to figure out, but who in reality has several layers of depth."