With detailed reference to the scenes in King Lear that you have studied so far, discuss the importance of the characters of Kent and the Fool in the play.

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Joslyn Sammut                English Tutorial

Advanced 1st Year                Group 2.5

With detailed reference to the scenes in King Lear that you have studied so far, discuss the importance of the characters of Kent and the Fool in the play.

        

        Although they are far from being major players in the Shakespearean tragedy King Lear, both the Earl of Kent and The Fool are important in their own right and both are crucial in Lear’s journey to eventual redemption.

        The Earl of Kent is King Lear’s most loyal and dedicated supporter.  He sticks with Lear through thick and thin solely out of love and respect for him, with no hint of selfishness or ulterior motives in his actions.  Kent, however, does not follow Lear blindly whichever road he takes.  Rather, Kent offers Lear advice, which more often than not, falls on deaf ears. In particular, Kent is the one that does his utmost to try and convince Lear to “reserve [thy] state” and “check this hideous rashness” when the King chooses to divide his kingdom between two of his daughters and banishing the youngest and only loyal one.  Kent’s efforts to save his master’s kingdom are in vain, and he is banished for his troubles.

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        This does not deter Kent, however, and he re-enters the castle disguised as Caius, a man of a lesser rank than Kent, and resumes his service to the King.  Kent retains his bluntness, for which he suffers a night in the stocks.  Kent is in total opposite of Goneril’s servant, Oswald.  Oswald does everything his mistress tells him to do with no qualms at the stake of his dignity because he knows that as long as he obeys he will gain.  He is only loyal to Goneril because she is a source of power, unlike Kent, who proves his ...

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