Fools in Renaissance society often came from lower class backgrounds, and were employed by aristocrats purely for entertainment and servitude. Their purpose was to entertain through humour and insults mitigated by irony and sarcasm. In Twelfth Night, Feste is in the employment of the noble lady, Olivia/ As a noble lady, employer, and member of the upper-class, Olivia posses power over Feste, especially political and social power due to her status and authority in Illyria’s society. Despite Feste’s wit and wisdom, his knowledge does not prove enough to allow him to rise above his station. Feste’s interaction with Viola is particularly telling of this:
Viola Art not thou the Lady Olivia’s fool?
Clown No, indeed, sir; the Lady Olivia has no …show more content…
In retaliation, the festive three – Maria, Sir Andrew, Sir Toby – conceive a plan to fool Malvolio in believing he resides in Olivia’s heart. Watts explains in his introduction that, “love can be both a benign and a malign madness.” (p. 12), suggesting that love can be the cause of madness, if not indeed itself an example of madness. Malvolio falls privy to love, when tricked by the festive three into believing a letter expressing Olivia’s love for an unnamed steward is penned in her hand, discussing him. This inspires Malvolio to express his love by following the instructions written in the letter: “Remember who commended thy yellow stockings, and wished to see thee ever cross-garted: I say, remember. Go to, thou art made, if thou desir’st to be so; if not, let me see thee a steward still…” (2. 5. p. 60-61). Malvolio is perceived as mad once he expressed his love to Olivia and locked away in a dark room. Feste’s function here is to present the fine line between foolish and fools, especially when Feste’s self-awareness is considered; as well as the fickle nature of power. While none of the highest regarded characters in Twelfth Night lose their positions of power, – Olivia and Orsino’s power and influence does not alter – the play warns that those in servitude may fall from favour should they act in a manner different to what is required of them. This idea permeates throughout society in Shakespeare’s age as many things were fickle: power, religion, even
Viola Art not thou the Lady Olivia’s fool?
Clown No, indeed, sir; the Lady Olivia has no …show more content…
In retaliation, the festive three – Maria, Sir Andrew, Sir Toby – conceive a plan to fool Malvolio in believing he resides in Olivia’s heart. Watts explains in his introduction that, “love can be both a benign and a malign madness.” (p. 12), suggesting that love can be the cause of madness, if not indeed itself an example of madness. Malvolio falls privy to love, when tricked by the festive three into believing a letter expressing Olivia’s love for an unnamed steward is penned in her hand, discussing him. This inspires Malvolio to express his love by following the instructions written in the letter: “Remember who commended thy yellow stockings, and wished to see thee ever cross-garted: I say, remember. Go to, thou art made, if thou desir’st to be so; if not, let me see thee a steward still…” (2. 5. p. 60-61). Malvolio is perceived as mad once he expressed his love to Olivia and locked away in a dark room. Feste’s function here is to present the fine line between foolish and fools, especially when Feste’s self-awareness is considered; as well as the fickle nature of power. While none of the highest regarded characters in Twelfth Night lose their positions of power, – Olivia and Orsino’s power and influence does not alter – the play warns that those in servitude may fall from favour should they act in a manner different to what is required of them. This idea permeates throughout society in Shakespeare’s age as many things were fickle: power, religion, even