King Lear Journal 2

Respond to the character of the Fool - what characterizes his role/relationship to Lear? How do you perceive him?

I like the character of the Fool, because he brings humor to otherwise serious scenes. However, he is not only full of jokes - he also has good insights into the events happening in Lear's life and the decisions he makes. It almost seems like through the Fool's rhymes and songs, he is trying to give Lear advice, even though Lear doesn't pick up on much of it. An example of this is found in 1.4:
"Have more than thou showest,
Speak less than thou knowest,
Lend less than thou owest [...]" (122-124).
Lear's attempts at advice suggest that he is at least a middle-aged man, if not old. He speaks of life lessons that were likely gained from experience. His advice to the king also help the reader understand his relationship with Lear. The Fool is not afraid to tell Lear outright what he thinks, and he even goes so far as to plainly insult the king to his face, calling him a fool (several times). The Fool is a unique character because he actually gets away with it. I think Lear doesn't get seriously upset at the Fool for insulting him because he has had a long relationship with him, and realizes that Fool's actions are just part of who he is - an entertainer. If any of his daughters or kingsmen called him a fool, Lear would probably be much more upset, because he expects them to respect and honor him. However, the Fool is not expected of much, and the king takes what he says as jokes, not as anything serious. That is one of the reasons why Lear does not absorb the valuable advice the Fool tries to share with him. Likely, the advice that Lear ignores will end up hurting him when he does not follow it later on in the play.