King Lear the Significance of the Fool

What is the dramatic significance of the Fool? ‘A bitter Fool’ (1.iv) The Fool plays a significant part in Lear. Introduced in Act 1, Scene 4 he is privy to the innermost feelings of his king. He is placed in a position where he can watch the going on at court; he serves as a sounding board for Lear. He also observes the outcomes of Lear’s rash judgements and comments upon them throughout the play. In …

…Poor Tom in the storm breaking down Lear’s self-centredness and unawareness of the poor. He is instrumental in helping Lear find a new vision of life and therefore, is a part of the moral process of the play. The Fool disappears when he is no longer needed. Poor Tom replaces him, Lear is on the way to recovery and there is no need for a wise and caustic Fool to keep re-opening the wound.