tained in a prince's court or nobleman's household". Asyou can see, the buffoon, jester and the clown are all depictedas fools and are related & tied to each other in some sort ofway. They relatively have the same objectives in their roles butin appearance wise (clothes, physical features) they may bedifferent. In Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, Feste's role in thisIllyrian comedy is significant because "Illyria is a countrypermeated with the spirit of the Feast of Fools, where identitiesare confused, 'uncivil rule' applauded...and no harm is done". "In Illyria therefore the fool is not so much a critic of hisenvironment as a ringleader, a merry-companion, a Lord ofMisrule. Being equally welcome above and below stairs.." makesFeste significant as a character. In Twelfth Night, Feste playsthe role of a humble clown employed by Olivia's father playingthe licensed fool of their household. We learn this in Olivia'sstatement stating that Feste is "an allowed fool"(I.v.93) meaninghe is licensed, privileged critic to speak the truth of the people around him. We also learn in a statement by Curio to theDuke that Feste is employed by Olivia's father. "Feste thejester... a fool that the Lady Olivia's father took much pleasurein"(II.iv.11). Feste is more of the comic truth of the comedy. Although hedoes not make any profound remarks, he seems to be the wisestperson within all the characters in the comedy. Viola remarksthis by saying "This fellow's wise enough to play thefool"(III.i.61). Since Feste is a licensed fool, his main rolein Twelfth Night is to speak the truth. This is where the humorlies, his truthfulness. In one example he proves Olivia to be atrue fool by asking her what she was mourning about. The pointFeste tried to make was why was Olivia mourning for a personwho's soul is in heaven? "CLOWN Good madonna, why mourn'st thou? OLIVIA Good Fool, for my brother's death. C...
