Download Twelfth Night: focus on Feste

Feste
The role of fools – Feste and Sir Andrew
A predominant figure of comedy is the fool. In the world of Twelfth Night, Feste
is a licensed and professional fool. He contributes to the festive spirit, implied by
his name, through his creation of music, song and jokes. He is attached to
Olivia's household though he is something of a free spirit often frequenting the
Duke's palace and singing to him. Feste embodies the spirit of misrule in which
the play delights and he is the perpetrator of folly – the antithesis of the serious
Malvolio who, as a Puritan, scorns merrymaking. However, it is not merely his
witty word-play that generates comedy. He also exposes truth to the other
characters and the audience: he mocks Orsino's lovelorn behaviour; he
challenges Olivia's obsessive mourning and, much to Malvolio's horror, proves
her a 'fool' in his witty repartee; and he lays bare Malvolio's hubris by publicly
humiliating him. He thus seems able to see the true nature of those around him,
mocking their foibles and flaws, leading to the comic resolution of events. There
is also humour in the fact that his role gives him licence to mock his superiors.
Despite his status as jester, he is far wiser than his masters ('wise enough' as
Viola says 'to play the fool').
The truly foolish character in the play is Andrew Aguecheek, whom Shakespeare
creates to play the 'gull'. Andrew is frequently depicted as cowardly,
incompetent and unintelligent. He is unable to understand the simplest of jokes
or metaphors, responding to Sir Toby's 'I smell a device' with the literal 'I have't
in my nose, too'. Maria aptly describes him as 'a fool', 'a great quarreller', and
one who has the 'gift of a coward'. He is ludicrously led to believe that he could
be a potential suitor for Olivia. In this he proves hopeless, as is evident when he
attempts to listen in to Cesario to learn how to woo and thus becomes a parody
of the courtly lover. Andrew Aguecheek is a figure of fun central to Sir Toby's
revelries and a character whose denigration is amusing for both stage and
theatre audiences.
https://www.aqa.org.uk/resources/english/as-and-a-level/english-literature-b/teach/text-overviewtwelfth-night
Other websites:
https://nosweatshakespeare.com/characters/feste-twelfth-night/
https://www.yorknotes.com/alevel/english-literature/twelfth-night-new/study/charactersthemes/02050000_feste
'Better a witty fool than a foolish wit'- Actor explains Feste from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
Feste quotes - Are you able to explore the context and significance of each of these?
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"Better a witty fool than a foolish wit." (Act 1, Scene 5)
"What is love? 'Tis not hereafter. Present mirth hath present laughter." (Act 2, Scene 3)
"Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage." (Act 1, Scene 5)
"Foolery, sir, does walk about the orb like the sun, it shines everywhere." (Act 3, Scene 1)
"The more fool, madonna, to mourn for your brother's soul being in heaven." (Act 1, Scene
5)
"I am indeed not her fool, but her corrupter of words." (Act 1, Scene 5)
"I am a great eater of beef, and I believe that does harm to my wit." (Act 1, Scene 3)
"Do you not hear, fellows? Take away the lady." (Act 2, Scene 4)
"Nothing that is so is so." (Act 4, Scene 1)
"Let her hang me. He that is well hanged in this world needs to fear no colours." (Act 5,
Scene 1)
Questions on Feste:
1. How does Feste's character contribute to the overall theme of the play?
2. What are some of Feste's key traits or characteristics as a character?
3. How does Feste use his wit and humour to manipulate or challenge other characters in the
play?
4. What is the significance of Feste's songs and how do they contribute to the play's plot and
themes?
5. Why is it significant that he has the last lines of the play?
6. How does Feste interact with the other characters in the play, particularly Olivia, Orsino, and
Viola/Cesario?
7. In what ways does Feste serve as a voice of reason or wisdom in the play?
8. What do you think Feste's motivations are in his interactions with other characters, such as
his teasing of Malvolio or his songs for Olivia?
9. What is the significance of Feste's final appearance in the play, and what does it suggest
about his character or role in the story?
10. How might the play be different if Feste were not a character, or if his role were significantly
altered or removed?