In Shakespearean terms, a fool is usually a commoner or a clever peasant that uses their skill and wit to out-do those of a higher social status, in that sense, they are historically accurate to the real fools of their time period, but Shakespeare usually portrays his fools as caricatures of their real-life counterparts for dramatic effect, for example; by giving the fool the ability to use magic, Shakespeare created extensive opportunities for distinct and memorable situations to unfold and entertain his audience. Puck and Bottom are both very dramatically effective fools in A Midsummer Night...

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• Grade Level: Undergraduate