Fools get a bad rep

In my reading of  King Lear, i have played close attention to the fool. Whenever reading one of Shakespeare plays that includes the character of the fool, i always pay close attention, mainly because the fool although meant to be funny, often gives the most important information. In King Lear, the fool often says how hes not allowed to speak the truth, how he gets whipped for speaking the truth, however, he often says the most truthful lines of the entire play. I can relate a lot to the fool because i feel like he's that one friend that always bluntly says what he or she is thinking, not meaning to be rude, but just blurts out the truth (which is usually humorous). I feel like in my friend group, I'm definitely "the fool". In Shakespeare's plays, and often in life, we need that comic relief that makes light of what seems like such a dramatic situation, when in reality its not that big of a deal. Also, because the fool is a reoccurring character in many of Shakespeare's plays, i believe that must have some significance, meaning that the fool is in fact a very important role. The irony of him being called the fool could also have significance because nobody expects the fool to say anything worth while or important, when in fact, he does. Maybe that could tie into the whole "ignorance is bliss" or the idea of how children usually have a better understanding of hard to comprehend subjects because they see things in a simpler way- foolishly.