Fools and Kings
Shakespeare's dynamic use of irony in King Lear aids the microcosmic illustration of not only 16th century Britain, but of all times and places. The theme that best develops this illustration is the discussion of fools and their foolishness. This discussion allows Shakespeare not only to portray human nature, but also to elicit a sort of Socraticintrospection into the nature of society's own ignorance as well. One type of fool that Shakespeare involves in King Lear is the immoral fool. Edmund, for instance, may be seen as a fool in the sense 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 ponder the "plotting" of his son Edgar. Edmund soliloquizes, "This is the excellent foppery of the world, that ...we make guilty 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 purpose of illustrating his wickedness. Edmund realizes that his evil is self-
155-156) The fool here shows poignant insight into the position of the king, telling him that there was no justification or intelligence in Lear's giving his properties to his eldest daughters. The character of the fool introspects our own intelligence. Do we, for instance, know for a fact that he who holds the highest office is the most intelligent or wisest person for the job? The thematic use of foolishness also defines much about human nature. As a king, he wished to have his daughters openly display an undying affection for him. In actuality, it is his blindness to the truth of Edgar's love and Edmund's greed and apathy that ultimately brings about Gloucester's demise. 173), he seems to be illustrating the realization of his own foolishness. However, as the play progresses, the fool proves to be the wisest character in the play. Though the wisdom of nature can reason it thus and thus, yet nature finds itself scourged by the sequent effects. However, the evil are almost always driven to foolish actions. In King Lear, the play seems to revolve around the wisdom of the Fool.
Common topics in this essay:
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William Shakespeare,
Edgar Edmund,
Regan Edmund,
Edmund Edgar,
Lear Shakespeare,
Unfortunately Lear,
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human nature,
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