Fools In _King Lear_ :: essays research papers

Fools and exponents     Shakespeares dynamic use of irony in King Lear aids the microcosmic illustration of non only 16th light speed Britain, but of all times and places. The theme that best develops this illustration is the treatment of fools and their foolishness. This discussion allows Shakespeare not only to portray human nature, but in like manner to elicit a sort of Socraticintrospection into the nature of societys birth ignorance as well.      One type of fool that Shakespeare involves in King Lear is the degraded fool. Edmund, for instance, may be seen as a fool in the instinct that he is morally weak. His foolishness lies in the fact that he has no sense of right or justice, which rewards him with an untimely, ironic death. He discusses this as his father, Gloucester, leaves to study the "plotting" of his son Edgar. Edmund soliloquizes,      "This is the excellent foppery of the world, that &nb sp     when we are sick in fortune...      ...we make culpable of our disasters       the sun, the moon, and stars, as if we were villains       on necessity fools by heavenly compulsion." (I. ii. 32) for the sole conception of illustrating his wickedness. Edmund realizes that his evil is self-taught. This soliloquy shows the audience Edgars foolishness in his impression that malignancy is the force that drives one to greatness or prosperity. It also illustrates the bastards mistaken belief that by fooling his father, he might be able to pass off Edgar, the competition for Gloucesters title, and possibly rid himself of his father in the same act. This is a prime example of immoral foolishness in King Lear.       some other type of fool in King Lear is the ignorant fool. Whereas founts such as Goneril, Regan, and Edmund are fools because of their tendency to harm others for self-g ain, the ignorant foolish are not necessarily impelled to evil. However, the evil are almost always driven to foolish actions. Gloucester, arguably Lears foil, puts forth an interesting perspective in the play. His character is presented as one who is blind to the truth, and ironically, one who becomes physically blind in the end. In actuality, it is his blindness to the truth of Edgars love and Edmunds greed and apathy that in the end brings about Gloucesters demise. When he says, "I have no way and thereof want no eyes, / I stumbled when I saw" (IV.i.173), he seems to be illustrating the realization of his own