Customer center

We are a boutique essay service, not a mass production custom writing factory. Let us create a perfect paper for you today!

Example research essay topic: Act I Scene End Of The Play - 862 words

NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote

The Roles of the Fool in King Lear Fools in traditional royal households were seen as imbecile and jesters, nothing more. The older role of a royal fool, which Shakespeare adopted from the pagan setting of King Lear, was to correct minor faults and incongruence in their masters. By detaching the Fool from a conventional fools role, Shakespeare allows for the crowds suspension of disbelief in the Fools ability to get away with the comments he makes to the King. In the opening scenes, King Lear fails to arouse pity from the audience despite the fact that he is the tragic hero. Enter the Fool in Act I, scene iv.

The Fools original and supposed role is that of an entertainer. Soon venturing from this role, he provides the dramatic irony nessa sary to close the gap between Lears understandings and the audiences. The explicit and underlying roles of the Fool allow this juncture to occur. The Fool is used as the denominator of ultimate truth to Lear, a representation of the goodness in Lear, and a manifestation of Cordilia in her absence. A gift of words is the Fools only power.

He speaks bitter truths to Lear in hopes that Lear will realize his folly. The Fools commentary throughout the play is sad because he knows his statements are ineffective. The Fool attends to the King out of love and loyalty to him, Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear, tarry! Take the Fool with thee! (I. iv. 322). His concern is shown again when the Fool and Lear are exposed in the storm, Good nuncle, in, and ask thy daughters blessing. (III, ii, 11 - 13).

The Fool is laughed at, not because he is foolish, but because he speaks the truth. Lear is told he is a fool for not knowing the nature of his own daughters. Everyone laughs, but it is the truth. The Fool plays the role of the provider of painful truth, a friend who tells the truth but is ignored. He gets away with comments such as, I had rather be any kind owing than a fool, and yet I would not be thee, nuncle and If thou wert my fool nuncle, Id have thee beaten for being old before thy time Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise. (I, iv, 176, I, v, 41 - 45). Eventually the Fool gets Lear to recognize the folly of his actions concerning his daughters, But yet thou art my flesh, my blood, my daughter; or rather a disease thats in my flesh, which I needs call mine...

Mend when thou canst (II. iv. 220 - 228). Not only is the Fool wise, but he is also committed to the side of good. His innate goodness allows him to portray the good side of Lear, Lear: Who is it that can tell me who I am? Fool: Lears shadow. (I.

iv. 236 - 237). This indicates that Lear is incapable of seeing himself and solidifies the Fools representation of Lears good side. The Fool mysteriously disappears at the end of Act III, scene vi, supporting Lear. This represents the union between the Fool and Lear marks the end of Lears blindness to the truth. When Lear calls himself the natural fool of fortune, he has recognized the folly of his actions and realized that he has taken on the role of the fool, watching everything without having any control over it. (IV, vi, 193). Lears level of sanity can also be represented by his interaction with the Fool.

In Act I, scene v, as Lear gets close to madness, he nearly makes the mistake of striking the Fool. Lear shows some retention of sanity by stopping himself and saying, Let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven! (I, v, 46). This is to say that if Lear were to lash out, he would be label as mad. Lears sanity can be measured again after he talks about taking revenge on his daughters, O Fool, I shall go mad. (II, iv, 285). In Cordilia's absence, the Fool takes on her role as the child. This acts as a constant reminder of Lears folly in banishing her.

Lear treats the Fool with affection and protection just as if he were his own. He even exhibits his parental instincts in Act III, Come on, my boy. How dost my boy? Art cold? (III, ii, 68). The most obvious connection between Cordilia and the Fool, though, is made at the end of the play. Lear has lost Cordilia and exclaims, And my poor fool is hanged. (V, iii, 307).

This suggests the death of the Fool, even though the Fools fate is never explicitly explained. The tragic fate that befalls King Lear is made perfectly clear through his interactions with the Fool on many different levels. At the end of the play, Lear appears as a father, a man, and something the audience can feel for and pity. The Fool plays an integral role in the manipulation of the audiences evolution of feeling. Lear walks through a world of deceit; the Fool walks with him like a halo of truth.


Free research essays on topics related to: ii iv, king lear, iii ii, act i scene, end of the play

Research essay sample on Act I Scene End Of The Play

Writing service prices per page

  • $18.85 - in 14 days
  • $19.95 - in 3 days
  • $23.95 - within 48 hours
  • $26.95 - within 24 hours
  • $29.95 - within 12 hours
  • $34.95 - within 6 hours
  • $39.95 - within 3 hours
  • Calculate total price

Our guarantee

  • 100% money back guarantee
  • plagiarism-free authentic works
  • completely confidential service
  • timely revisions until completely satisfied
  • 24/7 customer support
  • payments protected by PayPal

Secure payment

With EssayChief you get

  • Strict plagiarism detection regulations
  • 300+ words per page
  • Times New Roman font 12 pts, double-spaced
  • FREE abstract, outline, bibliography
  • Money back guarantee for missed deadline
  • Round-the-clock customer support
  • Complete anonymity of all our clients
  • Custom essays
  • Writing service

EssayChief can handle your

  • essays, term papers
  • book and movie reports
  • Power Point presentations
  • annotated bibliographies
  • theses, dissertations
  • exam preparations
  • editing and proofreading of your texts
  • academic ghostwriting of any kind

Free essay samples

Browse essays by topic:

Stay with EssayChief! We offer 10% discount to all our return customers. Once you place your order you will receive an email with the password. You can use this password for unlimited period and you can share it with your friends!

Academic ghostwriting

About us

© 2002-2024 EssayChief.com