Discuss the dramatic significance of Feste in Twelfth Night

Feste is an observer. He sees through mess. Though hes a kind of entertainer, who will wholly perform for money, what he chooses to sing to people is intention in ally relevant. People find the truth very rugged to deal carteh Peace, you rogue here(predicate) comes my lady. This story shows people avoiding the truth at all level Festes appreciation Ben Kingsley on Feste ordinal wickedness by Trevor NunnFool. Clown. Words incessantly linked to someone who isnt taken seriously. This is the slip-up with Feste. For fashion model, tantalize in King Lear was constantly universe threatened with hangings and beatings, besides this was only as he was a witty loll around. Again, with Feste in twelfth Night, who also is threatened with hangings, due to his absence. Feste doesnt fear this threat, and in fact steels a joke of it mocking Maria and using a sexual pun at the same time, e.g. many a(prenominal) a straightforward hanging pr eveningts a bad marriage This confidence come s from the fact that it wasnt their job to simply go forth amusement, but to also get out critical comments and provide advice, as Olivia asks him Whats a intoxicateden man like, fool? and since he is an allowed fool he was able to learn what he thinks, without fear of punishment theres no slander in an allowed fool.Feste and Olivia have the most personal relationship, as Feste knew her father. Olivia uses Feste as a fri closing, advisor and joker. She says Take the fool outdoor(a)y be a dry fool, signalling she has no use for him as he cant amuse her, but accepts him when he is humorous, doth he not mend?She seeks out Whats a drunken man like fool? and formerly answered, she immediately acts on it Go thou and seekFeste is connected only to Olivias house give way. The audience are told madam Olivias father took much delight in him and after a long journey, it is her household that he retreats to, and her author to his fooling festering old gives the impression of him unive rse around for a long time-a time for which they have been friends. evidence this Puns in the ImportanceBut he also has the ability to distance himself from everyone, such as biography by the tabor unsociable, and the track he speaks I go I will, I can yield- he doesnt convey assistance. Moreover, he is constantly mocking people with puns and soliloquy- being the part of the fool-but his interaction is again limited by the way he is al shipway exiting scenes- 1v, 3i and 2iv.As sanitary as being comic, Feste is probably the most perceptive character in the caper. He comments on people in ways another(prenominal) characters over look, whether be their appearance or their mind. For example, in movement ii iv, he prove blank tells Orsino what he thinks of him, saying his mind is very opal and the tailor make thy doublet of changeable taffeta (a silk which changes colour). The joke here is Feste vocalizing Orsino that he is very fickle and has a very changeable mood, so changea ble that he should have matching clothes. These mood changes echoes lines, Enough no more where Orsino sings to us of his love sickness.Feste goes on to say that he is so changeable that he would sail around the world to justify purposeless busyness and courage. Feste hardly knows Orsino, who in turn scarcely knows Feste, but for Feste to cast this view shows his perceptiveness. This view is so accurate, that it leads Orsino to make Cesario go to Olivias and tell her that his love is more noble than the world.Furthermore, he suspiciously notices genus Viola, and is the only one to retire suspecting her, send thee a beard he says, hinting that he knows of her such disguise. Festes perception was reinforced in Trevor Nunns production of Twelfth Night, where- at the end of the play- Feste gives Viola a necklace, A necklace she abandoned in Act 1ii -on the seacoast, showing he has of all time known of Violas situation and was always playing along, again showing his nature.Festes deli veryThe sophisticated way Feste speaks allows him to climb the social ladders of Illyria and be able to talk with Lord Orsino, Sir toby jug and Fabian. Which becomes epochal when he is able to get himself out of situations or even to make other people react, which may otherwise be tricky and use his language skills to make mockery. Such as the the more fool, Madonna, to bewail for your brothers soul This scene is the maiden with Feste, and he has proved to the audience that he is nowhere near being a fool. So far from it, in fact he has proven someone of a high social status to be one This echoes the quote there is no slander in an allowed fool that- even though Olivia is in mourning for her brother and father- fools would be allowed to make these daring jokes.However, Feste has proved two things here, the first is that he is not dry and the second that he can provide the humour if is someone does minister originator to him or invites him to make that good.Another key figure of Festes language is his uses of Latin. The few times he negotiation and refers in Latin are in the presence Olivia or Orsino, again proving his versatility of talking appropriately with people and it also demonstrating his education to the audience.All his Latin sayings convey messages. For example, the first to Olivia cucullus non facit monachum, referring to an overriding theme in the play dont judge by outward appearances, prepares her for his foolery.Another Latin reference is to Orisino in Act 5. Primo, secundo, terito is a good play although simply begging for a third coin he does it in such a manner, that he deserves it.Festes margin calls do hold a dramatic function, which change dep destination on the scene they hold marrow and are sung for a reason. Such as when Feste asks, would you have a love melody or a song of good life? The choice reflects the audiences and the characters mood at this current moment in the play, or as he said in his final song And well strive to please you every day.Festes songs seem to have a significant meaning, either use to create dramatic effects or represent/ echo his feelings about a situation in a scene. In Act 2, Feste sings keep down away, Come away, death, a melancholy song to Orsino about a buff who dies for love, which echoes Orsinos mood and his situation. The tender can read into this as Orsino being the lover and Olivia being the maid, making sense as the lover is slain.The words that are used mirror what Orsino has already said, such as My partshare it hold similar meaning to that in If music be the food of loveOrsino so immediately acts on the song and tells Viola/ Cesario to go to Olivias.This is one example of the role of Feste do we value what he says or laugh at what he says? Orsino valued what he said (we know this as he sends Viola to go to Olivia and tell her that nature pranks her in attracts my soul not her money).However, after the song is finished, Feste casts a closure blank insight of Orsi no, which creates tension, especially with the use of words like corpse, pain and bones shall be thrown words that are associated with death. Causing a melancholy atmosphere in the scene. Its as if the song(s) introduced the sadness, and set the way for Orsino and Viola to demonstrate love, Our showswill and pang of heart.Heres a good example of the dramatic significance of Feste- creating tension. With the next scene starting in comedy, the drama in each scene seems heightened due to the immense contrast. Festes appearance in the play is held dispatch until act 1iv. His contribution to the play is revealed through Wit, ant be thy willa derisory wit. Indicating Festes presence is not merely comic relief through foolish acts and show that the role of the fool requires much intelligence, or being a wise man, a church man or someone has all their wits about them I wear not motley in my brain.Festes most significant song comes at the end. He is left alone on stage to sing it- that se ems unusual as hes always sung for people. The situation might echo his actual feelings present in the song loneliness, toleration, and rejection.In Trevor Nunns version, the song was evidently melancholy which I felt this was a good insight as it draws a analytical link to pathetic fallacy the rain it raineth every day and wind.The sense of journey through the song is reinforced with links of Viola and Sebastians journey- which ends in lovers meetingThe meaning of this epilogue suggests that every person goes through life, with its vicissitudes, but he/she must remember that it raineth every day or there is always unpredictability.Festes contribution to the themes of love is essential to the intelligence of the plays messages. The clowns most profound comments often take the form of song O mistress mine, where are you roaming?Youths a stuff will not endure.Its in this song where we could possibly see Feste uncovering Viola and dictating the all play. Trip no further, pretty swee ting where the pretty sweeting may be Viola, and the wise mans son is Feste. If this is so, then it suggests that Viola-Orsino may end up as lovers.This song is performed due to the requests of Sir Toby for a love-song, which plays on the events of Twelfth Night itself by echoing the cheerfulness of this play and how the uncertainty of whats to come shouldnt be a negative prospect as in delay there lies no plenty. Feste foresees events that will occur later in the play, when he speaks of journeys ending in lovers meeting, he hints at the resolution in which characters are married.At the end of the play, Shakespeare provides an epilogue, like other plays, such as A Midsummer Nights Dream and Alls Well That Ends Well. However, unlike these, Feste sings it. The song is about Feste growing up, about being tolerating in childhood, rejected in adult hood, unsuccessful in marriage and drunk in old agebut nothing really matters, the actors will always try and please- talking instantly to t he audience.A slight re-iteration of the song What is loveyouths a stuff will not endure, telling the audience that we should enjoy the present because the futures is as unpredictable as the weather it could be good e.g. Viola-Orsino and Sebastian-Olivia, or it could be terrible e.g. Malvolio.Festes ability to gain gender specific favour is distinct when encouraging Sir Toby to indulge in ridiculing Malvolio O no, no, no, no, you dare not (where an Elizabethan audience would of received no, no, no, no and yes, yes) -no matter their social status. The reiterating it four-spot negatives makes your two affirmatives. His sexual puns, such as he that is well hung would have gone down well with the men too.Feste can use word play, or puns, at specific points in the play to make the audience laugh or even add to the tension so far. A good example is in Festes first scene he that is well hanged in this world needs to fear no colours. The first interpretation of this pun is the word colours which can mean enemy or war. So, logically, someone who is already dead cant fear.However, an Elizabethan audience could have heard it as collars (hangmens nooses) so they dont fear them. The Elizabethans enjoyed such pun jokes, and with Maria threatening Feste with death, and then Feste making the whole audience laugh, the dramatic significance of Feste is apparent.The role of FesteFestes distrust is comparable only to the perception of Viola. As both characters are involved in both houses (Orsinos and Olivias) they concern each other in their knowledge and putting their wits against each other. Namely Act 3i, where, they both delight in using word play, a sentence is but a cheveril baseball glove to a good wit- and later Viola saying I understand you sir, showing him that she is just as clever. Viola seems to be the only character that recognises Festes true intelligence This fellow is wise enough to play the foolquite taint their wit. Exhibiting Violas awareness of Festes abi lity to read people in show to say the right thing at the right time. Through this keen observation by Viola, she is acknowledging that may seen through her own disguise. Although Feste never openly claims to know of Violas deceptive dress, it is indicated that he might be on to her Now Jovesend thee a beard.Festes ability to control the audience becomes apparent wherever Shakespeare precious to portray thoughts or morals, as he would make Feste tell the audience puns or songs. In Act 1v, he says many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage communicates as if you are well hung then you need not love, and if we look back, to Act 1, the Latin quote refers directly to how Shakespeare felt- thereof reinforcing Shakespeares values. Therefore, it is possible that Feste was the voice of Shakespeare, and if Shakespeare wanted to make the audience happy, for dramatic effect or other, then he might use Feste to sing a song,When Feste says lines 359-354 in Act 5i, he quotes the things that Ma lvolio has said, and a feeling of what goes around comes around is created. The putting down of Malvolio would of been particularly enjoyed by the audience, because of his puritan no-fun nature, and therefore have a very comical affect for them.The plot in Twelfth Night is convoluted. So fools might of been used in this play to underline and reinforce important parts of the plot for the audience, and make their songs and folly draw parallels to the play. In Twelfth Night, Feste sings to Malvolio She loves another. Feste has seen through Malvolio and knows of his affection for Olivia, and crudely tells him there is no likelihood for him, moreover, he already must know of Olivias affections for Viola.The fool in King Lear informs King Lear of the goings behind his back, where he is oblivious to them, but even though he is informing the king, the audience may of also received the message.ConclusionThe Twelfth Night was known as the gap of Fools, which is very similar to Feste the Fool . Making it extremely significant, as the Feast of Fools was a time where a Lord of Ridicule was appointed. An Elizabethan audience would of received this (intentional) similarity and therefore see Feste as this Lord of Ridicule.If Feste were this lord, then he would become the master of the household, for this short holiday period, and take form dances, folly, pranks and deceptions, in order to entertain the rest of the household. If which case, it would explain Festes songs, drunkenness and of course dressing up as Sir Topas- all roles similar to that of a fool.Ironically, Feste is the only person not to be seen as the fool. Olivia is the fool, as she has move in love with a woman, Orisino is seen the fool, because Viola has tricked him into thinking she is a man. Sir Andrew comes across as the fool because of his foolish remarks, like taking the word ass literally and believing Pigrogromitus. Malvolio is the fool for dressing up in colorcross-gartered stockingsIn conclusion, w hat makes the audience happy is the same thing as that which makes them sad, and Feste accomplishes this flawlessly. With his irony, puns, soliloquy, his songs and criticisms- he directs the play in a moving omniscient manner.