Shakespeare uses the character of the Fool as a tool for better understanding in both Troilus and Cressida as well as King Lear. The Fool exists as a symbolic device in the King's path to better understanding himself. In Troilus and Cressida, Thersites helps everyone to better understand the complicated truth. They do this by being the fools in these plays. The Fool's bitter jests ultimately show King Lear the folly of his actions. And in Troilus and Cressida, while in the Greek camp, Troilus is shown the truth of the False Cressida, with Thersites laughing in the background because he knows it will all come to a head in the end.
             Shakespeare gives the most unlikely character, the Fool, the greatest amount of wisdom and insight. This device works well because the Fool and Thersites are both outside characters. They in fact act as narrators pointing out the foolishness and folly going on around them. Shakespeare uses the Fool and Thersites to be commentators on the action of the play, as well as characters in the play.
             We see in King Lear the Fool constantly reminding the king of his follies through riddles and jokes, and Thersites does the same in Troilus and Cressida. The Fool acts as a voice for the audience delivering dramatic irony. The Fool is able to speak out against madness because of his function and is expected to entertain them with his puns, songs, and riddles. When the Fool sings "Fool had ne'er less grace in a year, for wise men are grown foppish, And know not how their wits to wear, Their manners are so apish." (I.iiii, 163) The Fool and Thersites are able to use their sharp jokes and wit to entertain as well as inform everyone of the truth.
             Who would be better to represent the foolishness of the king than a fool? The Fool represents the king's foolishness throughout the play with wit, enthusiasm, and intellect. He uses these tools to interrupt the rising tension while making his point...