Twelfth Night Fools

Twelfth Night Essay
In Shakespeare’s time, fools, or clowns, were often very prominent in plays as higher ranked people often had them to remain entertained throughout their everyday lives. As with most of Shakespeare’s comedies, his play, Twelfth Night, features a fool. The fool in this play goes by the name of Feste, but he is not like ordinary fools. Most fools tend to be overly silly and simple-minded, but Feste is witty and has a unique sense of humor many of the characters do not quite understand. As surprising as it may seem, Feste is one of the smartest characters in the play despite his title. Throughout the play, Feste makes amusing comments and provides entertainment for all of the other characters, but especially proves there are other characters which fit the stereotype of a fool better than

He left this ring behind him, would I or not. Tell him I’ll none of it. Desire him not to flatter with his lord, nor hold him up with hopes. I am not for him. If that the youth will come this way tomorrow, I’ll give him reason for ‘t. Hie thee, Malvolio. (1.5.307-313)
Olivia falls in love with Cesario after only speaking with him one time, and sends Malvolio after him with the ring to let him know. Olivia is foolish to claim her love for somebody she does not even know. Little does Olivia know, Cesario is just Viola dressed as a man. Olivia is too naive to actually spend time getting to know Cesario and just claims her love for him anyways. Olivia eventually asks Cesario to marry her, to which he declines for he is actually a woman in disguise. Olivia goes on to mistake Sebastian for Cesario and asks him to marry her.
OLIVIA: Let thy fair wisdom, not thy passion, sway in this uncivil and unjust extent against thy peace. Go with me to my house, and hear thou there how many fruitless pranks this ruffian hath botched up, that thou thereby mayst smile at this. Thou shalt not choose but go.