The fool is the most foolish character in the play King Lear

The fool is the most foolish character in the play King Lear. I disagree with this statement. A fool is a professional clown employed to entertain a king or nobleman, while being foolish means to be devoid of good sense or judgement. Though the fool was employed to entertain the king by being a clown, he was however not foolish. In contrast, the fool can be seen to be the most wise character in the play.

Because of his position as a jester, the fool is able to observe the situations at court and comment freely. In act 1 scene 4 the fool chastises the king for giving up his kingdom and banishing Cordelia. He also says that the king has made his daughters his mother, meaning that the king has given away all his power and now depends upon his two daughters. Not only can the fool comment on these events but he can also critisize the king. The fool said to the king that he should take his coxcomb, meaning that the king should wear a fool's cap. Being a court jester, the fool can get away with such comments. Thus the fool was smart for using his position as an excuse for telling the king harsh truths which the king might not otherwise listen to.

Also, the fool seems to be the only charachter who is aware of what is truly happening in the play. This is seen when he tries to warn Lear about his daughters, when he makes fun of Kent for acting as foolishly as Lear, and when he phrophecies that there will soon be confusion in England.

In conclusion, it can be said that the fool is the most wise character in the play because he is the voice of reason for Lear, he seems to know about upcoming conflicts, and he recognizes foolish decisions made by the characters.