Think
about: How Shakespeare employs mad behaviour for poignancy
in the tragedies and for amusement in the comedies. Characters
define their sanity by comparison with their fellows or their
surroundings. King Lear's madness is given counterpoint by
being played out in the company of the Fool who is speaking
in riddles and Edgar who is pretending to be mad. In Twelfth
Night, Malvolio declares: 'I am as well in my wits as
thou art', but he is speaking to the Fool who points out
that by this comparison 'Then you are mad indeed'. |
