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Functions of the Fool - Coggle Diagram
Functions of the Fool
Function 5: Physical embodiment of Lear’s complex interiority-
Lear cannot express his emotions explicitly to the audience as he has no soliloquies..
The dialectic between the Fool and Lear reinforces Lear’s harmartia
He cannot voice his own feelings like other Shakespearean tragic heroes (Macbeth).
His mind and interiority is so complex and crowded he cannot voice how he feels clearly
can confront Lear unlike other characters who get banished for doing so
Function 2: Comic relief-
Breaks the high tension in a tragic play.
Like the gatekeeper in Macbeth (some say it is vital others don't see its relevance)
Fools were hired to make mistakes
In Jacobean era they May be mentally retarded youths or just stand up comedians used for the court’s amusement
Function 4: Highlights the inevitability of his downfall-
Commenting on the mistakes causing his peripeteia and making them explicit
makes it clear Lear causes his own downfall
through irony, sarcasm and humor points out Lear’s faults
moderates Lear’s behavior and acts as his conscience
Function 3- Being Lear's voice of reason-
Fool assumes Cordelia's role originally as Lear's protector
King's advocate: honest and loyal like Cordelia is
not needed when Cordelia comes back as she acts as the hope
Cordelia and fool never on stage together- Lear refers to Cordelia as the fool in Act 5 Scene 3- Lear makes the fool Cordelia when she is gone as he is attatched to her?
Function 1: Represents the audience on stage-
When Shakespeare wants the audience to pay attention to the action carefully he places the fool on stage
This guides us to watch closely as others already are
the external audience is given an internal audience in which to watch the play with.