English Literature: Discuss the Fool as a Source of Comedy in King Lear.

Tuesday 13 February 2018

Discuss the Fool as a Source of Comedy in King Lear.

Fool as a Source of Comedy in King Lear


The Fool was regarded as a professional jester in the Elizabethan age. His function at the court was to amuse the king and the courtiers by his witty remarks. His talk centered round wit, wisdom 
 
Fool as a Source of Comedy in King Lear

and foolery. King Lear is the only tragedy of Shakespeare, in which a Fool has been introduced. The Fool makes a large number of sarcastic remarks on the folly which Lear has committed by giving away all his power and authority to two of his daughters and keeping nothing for himself. Each of the Fools remarks is a sharp reminder to Lear of the blunder and the folly of which he has been guilty. For instance, he tells Lear, if the latter gives him an egg, he will give to Lear two crowns. He explains his offer by saying that he will cut the egg in the middle, eat the edible portion inside, and give to Lear the two halves of the shell of the egg. This he says with reference to Lear’s folly in dividing his crown into two portions, giving away one part to Goneril and the other to Regan. (Then he recites a few lines of verse and on being asked since when he has begun to quote verses he gives the following witty reply:I have used it, Nuncle, ever since thou mad’st thy daughters thy moth rs; for when thou gav’st them the rod and putt’st down thine own breeches.)


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