“King Lear” by William Shakespeare

In the play King Lear by William Shakespeare, the fool plays a very significant role. Shakespeare uses the fool as comic relief, as well as commentator on Lear's mistake. The fool helps to highlight the plight of the tragic hero, challenging the King's frenzy with his jokes, riddles and songs. His speeches are full of wit and wisdom, pointing out Lear's foolishness, and appealing to the slight sense of sanity that still exists (Lee, pp: 26).

The book, Fool, retells the story of King Lear from the perspective of none other than the angry king's jester, Pocket. ...