Introducing Feste - The Fool in Twelfth Night

Introducing Feste

The Fool in Twelfth Night

Act 1 Scene 5

A Level English Language and Literature

By the end of this session...

You'll be able to identify the ways in which Shakespeare establishes Feste's character 

You'll know context about the Shakespearean fool, and specifically the historical context behind the character.

What do you know about 'fools'?

A fool, or jester, was a role of an 'all-licensed' entertainer employed by a noble. Fools were common in Middle Age courts, and into Shakespeare's time. Specialising in jokes, juggling and music, they were a source of great amusement. 

Watch the following 'Horrible Histories' video about Henry VIII's favourite jester, Will Summers....

01:19

Take note

Notice here how the Horrible Histories version of Will Summers flips between silly and serious. This will be relevant later!

02:46

Why did the courtiers get Will Summers to deliver bad news to King Henry?

Act 1 Scene 5

Act 1 Scene 5 introduces new characters:

                       Feste                      Malvolio                     Olivia

Act 1 Scene 5

This scene has three distinct phases.

1 - Maria scolds Feste he will be in trouble for leaving his position for so long.

2 - Feste persuades Olivia to not punish him and accept his fooling. Shakespeare establishes Malvolio as a foil (opposite character) to Feste.

3 - Viola arrives (as Cesario) and out of curiosity Olivia admits 'him'

1. In the early part of the scene Feste says the famous line "better a witty fool than a foolish wit." What do you think he means?

"Better a witty fool than a foolish wit." Name the technique Shakespeare uses here to establish Feste's personality:

2. Feste persuades Olivia to keep him employed

Watch the following clip from the Trevor Nunn film version of Twelfth Night.

Historical Context

Watch the following short video that explores the history of the actor that Shakespeare wrote the character of Feste for, Robert Armin. 

0

01:18

Take note

This version cuts out a few lines - notably "I wear not motley* in my brain."

Translation - On the outside I appear foolish but I'm not a fool in my intelligence - you can link this to "better a witty fool than a foolish wit".  Feste is intelligent and perceptive despite appearances. Here he says he will "catechise" Olivia - this is a form of question and answer teaching used in Shakespeare's time. 

*The colourful clothes of jesters/fools

01:53

Explain Feste's logic here....

02:40

Take Note

Shakespeare establishes Feste and Malvolio as foils - opposite characters. How are they opposite? Draw up a table like this: 

Feste

Malvolio

02:49

Take Note

Think back to the Horrible Histories clip we watched.

"There is no slander in an allowed fool"

Fools were granted special permission to speak and behave more freely than others in the name of comedy.

Which character is not introduced in Act 1 Scene 5?

1. Feste
2. Malvolio
3. Olivia
4. Maria

"Better a witty fool than a foolish wit" - Shakespeare uses:

1. Antimetabole
2. Oxymoron
3. Idiom
4. Metaphor

Which actor was credited with developing the Shakespearean 'wise fool' character?

1. Ronald Reagan
2. Armin Shimmerman
3. Robert Armin
4. Stephen Fry

What is "to catechise"?

1. Teaching through question and answer
2. To catch
3. To deceive
4. To humiliate

Which character serves as a foil to Feste?

1. Olivia
2. Malvolio
3. Maria
4. Viola

Summary:

• Feste is established as a wise character despite appearances
• Feste is a foil to Malvolio
• Fools were 'all-licensed' - they were excused normal social rules in the name of comedy 
• Robert Armin was the first actor to play Feste

How confident do you feel in identifying how Shakespeare creates the character of Feste?

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Do you feel you understand the context behind Feste as a character?

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Before next lesson...

• Read the whole of Act 1  scene 5
• Identify 5 key quotations for Feste and use literary and linguistic terminology to explain the effect