Join FunTrivia for Free: Hourly trivia games, quizzes, community, and more!
Fun Trivia
Ask FunTrivia: Questions and Answers
Answers to 100,000 Fascinating Questions
Welcome to FunTrivia's Question & Answer forum!

Search All Questions


Please cite any factual claims with citation links or references from authoritative sources. Editors continuously recheck submissions and claims.

Archived Questions

Goto Qn #


In Shakespeare's "King Lear," why does the Fool disappear after Act III with no explanation?

Question #63811. Asked by wpld88.
Last updated Sep 10 2021.

peasypod
Answer has 6 votes
Currently Best Answer
peasypod
20 year member
3273 replies

Answer has 6 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
There is strong stipulation that the Fool and Cordelia are one and the same, not unusual for heroines to disguise themselves as men for that time.

King Lear seems to identify the fool and Cordelia in the last scene. ("My poor fool is hanged!")

Mind you, other explanations consider his comment: "And I'll go to bed at noon", a line that might mean that he is to die.

link http://www.pathguy.com/kinglear.htm


Response last updated by CmdrK on Sep 10 2021.
Mar 22 2006, 6:32 PM
avatar
lanfranco
Answer has 3 votes
lanfranco
19 year member
4407 replies avatar

Answer has 3 votes.
I have long preferred the idea that the Fool disappears because Lear has become his own fool -- and thus acquired his own wisdom:

[etext.virginia.edu/cgi-local/DHI/dhi.cgi?id=dv4-70] Link no longer exists

Response last updated by LadyNym on Aug 26 2016.
Mar 22 2006, 7:37 PM
free email trivia FREE! Get a new mixed Fun Trivia quiz each day in your email. It's a fun way to start your day!


arrow Your Email Address:

Sign in or Create Free User ID to participate in the discussion