the fool.... foolish or wise?

Is the fool in King Lear really a fool?

The fool in the play King Lear is not a fool at all. This is said as throughout the entire play, the fool is seen giving advice to the king. His entire purpose is to help Lear see the folly of his ways, his task accomplished, he disappears from the play.

King Lear takes this advice. Obviously the fool is intelligent as a King would not take his advice.

The fool also seems to be prophesying during the play. this can be seen in act2:4 when he says that the way lears daughters are treating him now, make the future seem bleak.

As can be seen later in the play, his predictions come true.

The fool is also quite smart. This is said as he is seen using his status to his advantage. Because he is the fool he is actually allowed to insult the king as he pleases without real fear of reprimand, unlike Kent, who seemed to become impassioned when telling Lear that he has made the mistake of his life by banishing the one child who truly loved him. Kent was then banished for his “rude” actions toward the king. The fool tells the king he ought to be wearing his coxcomb as he is very stupid for giving away his source of power. The fool plays his comment off as a joke when in reality he is quite serious. We again see the fool using his status for calling others foolish when Kent is found locked in the stocks. Obviously he is taking advantage of the fact that Kent is in bounds, unable to move to punish him.

Professor Bradley also calls the fool “an outer conscience to the king”. A conscience can never be considered as foolish as a conscience often allows one to make rational decisions.

The fool is also very loyal to his king. He truly is a true friend. This is seen later in the play when King Lear attempts to strip himself and the fool restrains him in order to keep the kings dignity.

Also, the fool seems to be the only one besides Kent, who misses Cordellia when Lear foolishly banishes her.

The fool seems to be the only one who is able to see the villains for who they truly are. For example, he recognizes Edgar for his villainy.