The fool in King Lear

THE FOOL Fool n., a., & v. 1. Person who acts or thinks unwisely or imprudently; 2. Jester or clown in medieval great household; 3. Foolish, silly person. The fool of Shakespeare?s King Lear is hardly that of the Concise Oxford Dictionary. A dry, sardonic creature with a quick wit, he is used by Shakespeare to make both the audience and his fellow characters aware of the tragedy that unfolds. He is used primarily to show Lear the …

…and the one who reveals the truth in every situation, without bias or prejudice. Lear walks in a world full of illusions and misconceptions; the Fool walks beside him as a reflection of the truth. While he could not reach the King with an argument, he can by homely images. The fool makes both the audience and the King aware that Prudence is a virtue that belongs to the calculating head, not the impulsive heart.