Shakespearean fool

SHAKESPEAREAN FOOL

Alessandro Da Fano 4D les

What is a fool?

The Italian translation of the term "fool" means "sciocco". This term was attributed to those who entertained or accompanied kings or nobles, in courts or on their travels in Shakespeare's time.

SHAKESPEAREAN’S FOOL

Shakespearean fools are usually clever peasants or commoners that use their cunning to use people of higher social level. In Shakespear’s plays they are very important because the “groundlings'' recognise themselves in these characters. The groundlings were people who couldn’t afford higher level seats so they had to stay in front of the stage, and because of their poverty they saw fools as a point of reference.

The success

The success of these characters is also due to the actor who usually played them, Richard Tartlon, who was one of Queen Elizabeth's favorite actors.

Shakespeare's fool is taken from previous civilizations such as Roman and medieval, but his entertainment role is changed for Joy to have a different role in which he has the ability to address important themes. This choice by Shakespeare is close to his tendency to see theater differently and to change those characters and themes that were classic.

Function

The characters 'fool' in Shakespeare's works often play various key roles. Here are some of their possible functions:

Providing humor

'Fools' are often comedic characters who bring lightness and humor to the works. Their way of speaking, jokes, and comedic situations provide a contrast to the dramatic nature of the main plots.

Social critique

Through their humorous observations and comments, 'fools' can often criticize society, politics, or main characters. Their marginal position and freedom of expression allow them to make social comments without direct censorship.

Serving as advisors

Despite their comedic appearance, many 'fools' have the ability to offer wisdom and important advice to the main characters. Their position as 'buffoons' may conceal a deep understanding of human nature and the dynamics of history.

Representing madness

In works like 'King Lear,' the character of the 'fool' can be linked to the theme of madness. The 'fool' can represent hidden wisdom behind a foolish appearance and, in some cases, become a dramatic contrast to the madness of the main characters.

Creating intrigue and complications

'Fools' can be involved in secondary plots or situations that further complicate the main plot, providing new elements of suspense and intrigue.

Being mirrors of the main characters

'Fools' often reflect and comment on the actions and decisions of the main characters. Their observations can highlight the weaknesses and contradictions of the protagonists.

Interacting with the audience

At times, 'fools' directly address the audience through monologues or jokes, engaging spectators and creating a more direct connection with the audience.

In general, the presence of these characters serves to create a balance between drama and entertainment in Shakespeare's works, adding complexity and depth to the stories.

Feste is the "fool" in "Twelfth Night

Feste

Functions:

• Provides humor through wordplay and comedic situations.
• Serves as a mirror of the main characters, especially in the confusion of identity.
• Acts as an implicit advisor, offering wisdom under the guise of jest.

Characteristics:

• Comic and witty.
• Involved in the plot of identity confusion.

In the drama "King Lear," there is a "fool" who accompanies the protagonist, King Lear

Lear's fool

Functions:

• Represents madness, contrasting with King Lear's insanity.
• Offers hidden wisdom through jokes and songs.
• Critiques society through candid observations.

Characteristics:

• Connected to the theme of madness.
• Provides social comments and criticism.

Touchstone is a comedic character in "As You Like It.“

Touchstone

Functions:

• Provides humor with sarcasm and sharp observations.
• Acts as an advisor, challenging social conventions through his nonchalant behavior.
• Represents wisdom beneath the appearance of a buffoon.

Characteristics:

• Sarcastic and critical.
• Involved in the dynamics of the main plot.

In "Othello," there is a character called Clown who can be considered a "fool.“

Clown

Functions:

• Provides humor and lightness in dramatic situations.
• Acts as a comedic element in the overall plot.
• Represents a marginal character who can make straightforward comments.

Characteristics:

• Comic and often naive.
• Involved in comedic scenes.

Trinculo is a comedic character in "The Tempest."

Trinculo

Functions:

• Provides humor through interaction with Caliban and Stefano.
• Contributes to complicating the plot through his actions.
• Represents a comedic element in the story.

Characteristics:

• Involved in comedic situations.
• Acts as a complicating character.

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