The Fool’s Role in King Lear

Minor characters often add another dimension to a story as a contrast to the main character. Though the Fool only appears in select scenes, he plays three major roles in Shakespeare’s King Lear. First, he serves as Lear’s conscience, providing sane reasoning and wisdom at much needed times. The Fool also delivers comic relief. Finally, he is one of the few people willing to stand up to the king. In Act III, the …

…Lear. He offers insightful criticism as Lear’s conscience, provides comic relief, and stands up to Lear when no one else can. Although he may appear to be against the king, the Fool is most loyal to him to the bitter end. He is the voice that Lear needs to hear, his own voice of reason. The Fool’s departure from the play mark’s Lear’s final departure from any shred of common sense.