Like a lot of comical characters in Shakespeare's plays, Feste is called not only to entertain the viewer. If you remember that Illyria is a country of an eternal feast, it becomes clear why in those times the “allowed” fools are so appreciated. He is an intelligent, resourceful and ironic hero. His caustic remarks about the other heroes’ actions make one think about the correctness of their choice. A skilled critic, Feste destroys the veil between reality and fantasy. He brings the personages out of a dull state, recalling the responsibility for their own lives. The image of Feste is made up of folk wisdom and intuition, which helps to perceive things as they really are.
Feste in the Essays