That's right, a character with no name other than his job description is the smartest guy in Lear's company. King Lear calls for the Fool seeking simple entertainment, but instead receives biting political commentary which he promptly disregards. In scene 4 the first thing the Fool does is give Kent/Caius his coxcomb (or hat). At first it's like, "Ho! What a silly jester!" because of the implication that Kent (a knight) is the actual fool. But when Kent asks the Fool why he offered the coxcomb the response is
Why? For taking one’s part that’s out of favor. Nay, an thou canst not smile as the wind sits, thou'lt catch cold shortly. There, take my coxcomb. Why, this fellow has banished two on ’s daughters, and did the third a blessing against his will. If thou follow him, thou must needs wear my coxcomb.—How now, nuncle? Would I had two coxcombs and two daughters. (Shakespeare 1, iv 102-109)
The Fool is basically telling Kent that he is true fool for following King Lear. Anyone who would serve a man who makes as many bad decisions as Lear is not a bright person. The Fool changed a simple joke about Kent's status into harsh commentary on the wisdom of anyone following King Lear. This line makes it obvious that although the Fool is a comedian, he is very aware of what his King has done and the all the faults he has.
The fool spends basically the rest of the scene mocking the king's status and decisions. He reminds Lear that he has nothing now that he's given the kingdom away. He calls the King a fool several times (and somehow doesn't get exiled like everyone else). He even says that Lear has "madest thy daughters thy mothers" (Shakespeare I, iv 176-177) in regards to the dividing of England. The fool seriously goes all out in reminding the King that he's a major idiot. The line "I am better than thou art now. I am a fool. Thou art nothing" (Shakespeare I, iv 198-199) is perhaps the Fool's most honest and damning.
All of the Fool's commentary and dialogue makes his true intelligence obvious. He's aware enough of the world around him to look past titles like "king" and "lady" to see the truth of things AND he's willing to express those truths to people in power. The fool can see that the people around him are truly the ones making foolish decision after foolish decision and he knows that he can stand above them. He honestly would make a better ruler than any of the "nobility" in this play.
In conclusion... #Fool4president2016!
Why? For taking one’s part that’s out of favor. Nay, an thou canst not smile as the wind sits, thou'lt catch cold shortly. There, take my coxcomb. Why, this fellow has banished two on ’s daughters, and did the third a blessing against his will. If thou follow him, thou must needs wear my coxcomb.—How now, nuncle? Would I had two coxcombs and two daughters. (Shakespeare 1, iv 102-109)
The Fool is basically telling Kent that he is true fool for following King Lear. Anyone who would serve a man who makes as many bad decisions as Lear is not a bright person. The Fool changed a simple joke about Kent's status into harsh commentary on the wisdom of anyone following King Lear. This line makes it obvious that although the Fool is a comedian, he is very aware of what his King has done and the all the faults he has.
The fool spends basically the rest of the scene mocking the king's status and decisions. He reminds Lear that he has nothing now that he's given the kingdom away. He calls the King a fool several times (and somehow doesn't get exiled like everyone else). He even says that Lear has "madest thy daughters thy mothers" (Shakespeare I, iv 176-177) in regards to the dividing of England. The fool seriously goes all out in reminding the King that he's a major idiot. The line "I am better than thou art now. I am a fool. Thou art nothing" (Shakespeare I, iv 198-199) is perhaps the Fool's most honest and damning.
All of the Fool's commentary and dialogue makes his true intelligence obvious. He's aware enough of the world around him to look past titles like "king" and "lady" to see the truth of things AND he's willing to express those truths to people in power. The fool can see that the people around him are truly the ones making foolish decision after foolish decision and he knows that he can stand above them. He honestly would make a better ruler than any of the "nobility" in this play.
In conclusion... #Fool4president2016!
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