What exactly is the purpose of Feste in 'Twelfth Night'?

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English Shakespeare Essay

What exactly is the purpose of Feste in ‘Twelfth Night’?

Although the role of Feste ‘the clown’ originally seems to be quite inconsequential in the play, he actually becomes vital to the play to hold and link it together. I am going to look at all his roles and purposes in the play, using evidence to support my opinions.

Feste’s original comedy role, although not being his main purpose, is still important in the play. He is the comic truth of the comedy. The irony of the play is, although he is portrayed as a fool, he often seems to be the wisest person in the play as he exposes the true fools. He sees the comedy behind many situations, proving other people to be the true fools, rather than him. Voila even comments on this behaviour:

‘This fellow's wise enough to play the fool’ (3:1:50)

However, not every character in the play sees this.

Feste’s wisdom is also seen many times around Olivia. At one point Feste asks her what she is mourning about.

‘The more fool, Madonna, to mourn for your brother’s soul being in heaven’ (1:5:58)

Therefore, proving Olivia to be a true fool, to mourn a person whose soul is in heaven. This is also the first point we see Feste for more than just a fool, but as a wise man playing a fool and the comic truth.

Adding a comedy in another way, Feste dresses up as Sir Topas, the curate, to prove someone else a fool; Malvolio. While in disguise, Feste uses humour to abuse Malvolio, who does not know he is talking to a clown. Feste, as Sir Topas, calls Malvolio a ‘lunatic’ and ‘Satan’. As a result of his conversation with Malvolio, Feste has wittingly turned Malvolio into a fool, and, once again, shown his true wisdom. This scene also shows the underlying theme through the entire play as, although it is pitch black in the cellar where Malvolio is being kept, Feste still dresses up as the person he is pretending to be, knowing full well that Malvolio will not be able to see him anyway. This shows that throughout this play clothes are needed to complete the new identity; in order to be Sir Topas, he must look like Sir Topas, regardless if he will be seen or not.

However, it is not the person branded a fool that brings the most comedy and foolery to the play, but those who are self-proclaimed wits, who are not witty at all, that bring the most. As it is their lack of self-knowledge that makes them a fool. The prime example of this is Sir Andrew. It is in the scenes with Sir Andrew and Feste together that the most enjoyable entertainment emerges. It is also during Feste’s first scene with Andrew (2:3), that the true irony of the play is seen.

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That the licensed fool, Feste, is actually, no fool at all. It is actually Sir Andrew that is the true fool, who provides the most entertaining comedy through his idiocy. It is communication between the two that reveals the two types of fool in the play; the witting and conscious fool of Feste, and the unwitting and unconscious fool of Sir Andrew and almost every other person in the play. In ‘Twelfth Night’ the actual comedy of the play is provided by the unwitting fools, while Feste, the recognized fool, adds an insight and meaning to the actions of ...

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