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Feste In Shakespeare's Twelfth Night: Or You Will

652 Words3 Pages

Sabrina Sloan
English Lit. I, Essay #1
October 25, 2015 In many Shakespearian plays, there is a character who plays a “fool” in efforts to keep the mood up, and to make jokes in order to lighten situations that would otherwise be melancholy. In Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night; Or What You Will, Feste fills this role. Throughout the play, Feste’s jokes ease tense situations and his actions towards other characters are great ways to keep the audience entertained. To call him a fool is ironic, as he is quite the opposite. Feste’s character functions not just as a jester, but as a character who speaks his mind freely– often pointing out the foolishness in other characters, as well as their situations. When we are first introduced to Feste in Act …show more content…

In most of his dialogue, he brings up the fact that foolishness is easier found than shrewdness. While talking to Cesario, Feste speaks about such fooishness. “Foolery, sir, does walk about the orb like the sun. It shines everywhere” (Act 3, Scene 1). By saying this, Feste suggests that there are fools all over the world, and it is impossible for their foolishness not to show, comparing them to the sun. Through these words, the audience gets a glimpse into the mind of Feste. His sole purpose in the play is to reveal the flaws in other characters, all while using wit. He proves others to be fools, while proving how although he is labeled a fool, he is actually very intelligent. During this conversation, Viola (Cesario), admits the fool’s shrewdness, and compliments his wit by saying his ‘begging’ was well begged. It is also in this scene that Feste hints at the fact that he may know Cesario is a woman. “My lady is within, sir. I will construe to them whence you come. Who you are and what you would are out of my welkin, I might say “element,” but the word is overworn.” Feste beings by saying he has absolutely no idea who this gentleman is, but then says he is “out of his element.” This could be a hint thrown towards Cesario referencing that Viola is out of her element, as she is dressed like a man. Earlier in the conversation Feste wishes a beard

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