Monologue

Fool Monologue from King Lear

From King Lear by William Shakespeare

male · philosophical · 1:16 min

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We’ll set thee to school to an ant, to teach thee there’s no labouring i’the winter. All that follow their noses are led by their eyes but blind men; and there’s not a nose among twenty but can smell him that’s stinking. Let go thy hold when a great wheel runs down a hill, lest it break thy neck with following it; but the great one that goes upward, let him draw thee after. When a wise man gives thee better counsel, give me mine again: I would have none but knaves follow it, since a fool gives it. That sir which serves and seeks for gain, And follows but for form, Will pack when it begins to rain, And leave thee in the storm. But I will tarry; the fool will stay, And let the wise man fly: The knave turns fool that runs away; The fool no knave perdy.

About this piece

The Fool delivers a series of paradoxical observations and warnings, reflecting on the nature of wisdom and folly amidst the chaos of Lear's kingdom.

30s · confusion · foolishness · wisdom · survival · deception

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