"Lear's Fool had wisdom in disguise". Elucidate critically. Or , Critically discuss the character of Fool in King Lear.

"Lear's Fool had wisdom in disguise". Elucidate critically.

Or ,

Critically discuss the character of Fool in King Lear. 

The Fool belongs to the tradition of the morality plays. The fool, as a stock character and familiar figure on the Elizabethan stage, linked actors and audience, playing tricks on the persons in the play. He also made comments directly to the audience. The Fool in King Lear tries to take away from Lear's mind his obsession with his daughter's ingratitude, by his jesting and buffoonery. His jests during Lear's afflictions certainly hasten his insanity. The Fool stands for worldly wisdom. He can never forget Lear's treatment of Cordelia, who is the epitome of endearment in his heart. He continuously pines for her and there is not a single moment when he does not remind the king of his injustice. He is also much attached to his old master, the king. He follows him in adversity, and does not desert him despite all his practical commonsense. He remains loyal to him even when he falls on evil days.

The Fool performs four important functions in the play: (i) He provides comic relief when the tragedy becomes too oppressive to the audience, (ii) He symbolizes the external conscience of Lear, (iii) He adds to the tragedy and beauty of the play (iv) He also serves as a critic in the play.

During his insanity Lear's conduct is absurd to the extreme and is bound to arouse more laughter than sympathy. It is here that the Fool becomes relevant, for it is he who diverts the laughter of the audience onto himself, and thus manages to salvage as well as preserve Lear's sublimity. In the storm scene there is a wild quartet of madness—Lear, Poor Tom, the Fool and the elements themselves' in which the Fool alone stands for sanity. He fades away from the picture when he is no longer needed, because Lear himself can act as his own fool. In fact, Lear's tragedy lies in investing the King with motley. It is also the crowning and apotheosis of the Fool.

The Fool is a mirror striving to show Lear his true image. Lear has been extremely foolish, and this fact is pointed out to him by the Fool. There are two fools, he says, "The one in motley here (pointing to himself)/ The other found out there (pointing to Lear)". Lear's abdication leaves the kingdom without the light of good government and hence the Fool remarks, "So out went the candle and we were left darkling". Thus the Fool serves the purpose of a critic. He comments on the folly of Lear and constantly chastises him for it.

Shakespeare makes the Fool fade away after the storm scene. At the end of the play Lear tragically remarks, "And my poor fool is hanged," and this unquestionably refers to Cordelia. The Fool fades away in the middle of the play more as a design than as a lack of foresight. Having served his purpose he makes his exit in the prime of his own existence. His love for Cordelia and his loyalty to Lear remains unrewarded and unrequited. Thus, although the fool does not develop the plot of the play, he has immense dramatic significance.