foolear The Fools in William Shakespeares King Lear :: King Lear essays

The Fools in King Lear      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   William Shakespeare's play King Lear tells the tale of the main character who divides his kingdom between his older daughters, Goeneril and Regan, and disinherits his youngest daughter, Cordelia. The action leads to civil strife, his insanity, and his ultimate death. King Lear can be viewed as a great illustration about the struggle between good and evil. Perhaps better than any of Shakespeare's other tragedies, King Lear displays the concept of evil most strongly.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is believed that King Lear is an expansion of a British legend. The legend is as follows: Lear, King of Britain decided in his old age to divide his kingdom among his three daughters based on their expressions of love for him. His two eldest daughters overwhelmed their father with expressions of love, but the youngest told her father that she loved her father as a daughter should. Enraged at his youngest daughter's reply, Lear drove her into exile and divided the kingdom between his two eldest daughters. However, his two eldest daughters infuriated him with their cruel treatment thereafter. Hence, the king went in search of his youngest daughter. His youngest daughter had married the king of France while she was gone. His youngest daughter returned with him two Britain and helped him to regain hi throne.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Shakespeare utilized this British legend to create what is arguably one of the greatest tragedies of all time. Shakespeare took this British legend and conceptualized it to fit his audience. Shakespeare added the character of the Fool as a tool in better understanding Lear. The Fool exists as a metaphorical device in the King's path to better understanding himself. The Fool's bitter jests ultimately show King Lear the folly of his action. King Lear's madness and the Fool's wit and insight illustrate the theme of the play. The theme being man's inhumanity to man in the form of ingratitude.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Shakespeare gives the most unlikely character, The Fool, the greatest amount of wisdom and insight. This device works well because The Fool is a peripheral character, as such, he acts as a sought of narrator pointing out the foolishness and folly going on around him. Shakespeare uses The Fool to be a commentator on the action of the play as well as a character in the play.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Shakespeare uses The Fool to provide comic relief through the play as well. The Fool's role as entertainment for the king allows him to influence the king. It is believed that in the tradition of Elizabethan tragedy that the fool acts as the instructor to the king.