The fools of Shakespeare; an interpretation of their wit, wisdom and personalities

I have found occasion in several instances, to differ with some of the well known Shakespearean scholars; but it must always be remembered that I speak from the viewpoint of the actor, for whom, and for whom alone the plays were written. I have not entered the literary dissecting room, nor invaded the realm of psychology. The line of demarcation between humor and imbecility, folly and insanity, I leave to the professional alienist. I have taken the characters as they appear in the plays and as I conceive the author intended them, with due reference to their relation to the other characters. - Preface. Read more... Abstract: I have found occasion in several instances, to differ with some of the well known Shakespearean scholars; but it must always be remembered that I speak from the viewpoint of the actor, for whom, and for whom alone the plays were written. I have not entered the literary dissecting room, nor invaded the realm of psychology. The line of demarcation between humor and imbecility, folly and insanity, I leave to the professional alienist. I have taken the characters as they appear in the plays and as I conceive the author intended them, with due reference to their relation to the other characters. - Preface Content: Introduction -- The fool in life and literature -- Yorick -- Touchstone -- Trinculo in The Tempest -- Feste in Twelfth Night -- Launcelot Gobbo in The Merchant of Venice -- Citizen in Julius Caesar -- The clown in Antony and Cleopatra -- The grave diggers in Hamlet -- Launce and Speed in The Two Gentlemen of Verona -- The fool in King Lear.