Question

Fools and foolishness are important themes in Twelfth Night. Describe the difference between the two kinds of fools the reader meets in the play.

Answer 1

The kind of fools and foolishness Twelfth Night are those who recognize their job as a fool/feste and the other characters act foolishly at some point in the story. Feste understands his role as a fool, and uses his position to give wisdom and advice to other characters especially Oliva. In Act I, Oliva calls for her men to “take the fool away”, but Feste turns the conversation around on Oliva and calls for them to take Olivia away. Next he tries to prove Oliva is the real fool because of how foolishly she been acting. Another example is how Malvolio acts foolishly putting on yellow socks and smiles because he thinks that Oliva might have feelings for him. Throughout the drama Feste proves that he is wise and that foolishness and being a fool are two separate things.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

The two kinds of fools in Twelfth Night are those who recognize their job as a fool (Feste) and those who act foolishly (most of the other characters at one point or another). Feste understands his role as a fool, and uses his position to actually impart some wisdom on the characters, especially Olivia. In Act 1, Scene 5, Olivia calls for her men to "take the fool away", but Feste turns the conversation around on Olivia and calls for the guards to take her away instead. He then goes on to prove that she is the real fool because of how foolishly she has been acting. He proves it by admonishing her for mourning her brother's death when she knows his soul is in Heaven.

This example is reiterated several times. Another example is how Malvolio acts foolishly, putting on yellow stockings and appearing smiling and cross gartered, all because he believes that Olivia might be interested in him. Through the play, Feste remains one of the most wise characters, proving that being a fool and acting foolishly are two separate things.