Shakespeare A to Z | Fools, Clowns, and Jesters
Various types of humorous characters appear in Shakespeare’s plays, among them the fool and the clown. In addition to adding comic relief, these characters often serve as insightful commentators on the behavior of the play’s main characters. Although fools and clowns are both amusing, the nature of the comedy they provide differs significantly.
SHAKESPEAREAN FOOLS. In most Shakespearean plays the fool is a jester, a professional entertainer whose job is to amuse the king or queen. A quick wit, the fool often taunts and satirizes the main characters. The fool is typically a...
[The entire page is 903 words long]