The Fool In Twelfth Night Essay

Discuss the significance of the fool in Shakespeare’s comedies with specific reference to twelfth night.

Oxford English Dictionary defines a fool as " a silly person" or "one who professionally counterfeits folly for the entertainment of others" .The fool is a typical character that Shakespeare employs in many of his comedic plays, and feste the fool is not exempt from this. Feste is employed as a licenced fool and adds the tones of farce and humour to the play. In twelfth night feste plays a cardinal role as subversion occurs due to the topsy-turvy, role reversed nature of the play due to events taking place in the festival of the twelfth night otherwise known as the feast of fools which marked a period of festivities as social roles were
Initially the purpose of a fool is to entertain or amuse causing light relief, theories of laughter would categorise these aims under relief and superiority theory; however the first perception of the "fool" is somewhat superficial in comparison to what 'their real role is, the role has always typically had some socio-political importance. Historically the role of the fool has become a Shakespearean archetype. Feste is employed by Olivia’s father "a fool that the lady Olivia's father took much delight in.”; therefore he is a licensed fool ,as he is liscened "open reproaches are met with pleasure", his role I so offer light relief to the Elizabethan elite who trump him in class and repute. Feste is much like the harlequin of commedia dell'arte of which who employed slapstick, Wit and repartee for example how he employs wisdom "The more fool, Madonna, to mourn for your brother's soul being in heaven”.The nature of the harlequin is also evoked by other shakespearean fools such as "puck" who is infamous for his pranks "Mislead night-wanderers, laughing at their harm?" Due to the topsy-turvy nature of the play one of feste's main roles is to cause subversion through highly farcical and chaotic antics and serves as the Lord of Misrule. This is contextually relevant as during the ferocious festivities that climaxed on the “twelfth night” roles were
However the fool is not just significant due to the fact that he has these roles, the fool is structurally significant. Feste plays a part in the slapstick and farcical aspects of the play for example as Ben Kingsley says "provoking malvolio's insanity”. Feste tries to assure malvolio's insanity by verbally tormenting him as he dawns the facade of "sir topaz the curate”, feste linguistically changes his dialogue in an effective manner for example “Maintain no words with him, good fellow. Who, I, sir? Not I, sir. God be wi' you, good Sir Topas.Merry, amen. I will, sir, I will.” This shows how feste can use language and have the role of the "corrupter of words, making him structurally important as he contributes to the rising action leading to the