How is madness seen in King Lear?

... of order and justice is starting to replace the chaos and thoughts of savage revenge in Lear's mind; so, it marks the start of his journey away from insanity. In Act 4 Scene 6, the last scene before the restoration of Lear by Cordelia, the contrasts are brought out in many ways, for instance, the use of perfect blank verse for the sane and patient lines beginning "If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes" in contrast to such manic lines as "Then kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill". In Act 4 Scene 7 the line "...to deal plainly, I fear I am not in my perfect mind." Ironically it is Lear's increased self-knowledge here that makes the point at which he is recovering his sanity and the change from his earlier arrogant ignorance - Lear has come to see himself for what he is and how others see him. After Lear's madness passes, Lear begins to see the world more as it is and less the way he had imagined; he sees Goneril and Regan for what they are; believes that Cordelia loves him; accepts Kent's service and is more understanding towards others, even feeling pity for the Fool and the 'Poor naked wretches' of his kingdom. In Act 5 Scene3 Lear is grieving over Cordelia's body when he speaks the line "And my poor fool is hang'd! No, no, no life!" Given that 'fool' was a common term of affection in Shakespeare's day.

The Fool is, although his eccentricity a very intelligent person saying everything behind riddles, nonsense rhymes and jingles. The Fool is almost a shadow of the King himself. He appears after Lear has divided his kingdom and vanishes from the action when Lear travels to Dover. Through his songs, riddles and jokes he tries to get Lear to see the truth of the world around him. The Fool is important not so much as a character, as for the dramatic function that ...