Act 4, Scene 1 Summary

Tim and his Tutor are arguing in Latin. The tutor asserts that a fool does not have reason and, therefore, is not a rational animal. Tim disagrees and states that a fool is a man and that a man is a rational animal; so a fool is a rational animal. Maudlin interrupts and asks them what they are discussing. Tim tells her and Maudlin asks why they are discussing such a thing when everyone knows what a fool is.

Tim asks his mother what she believes a fool is. Maudlin responds that it is a person who marries before he has wit. Tim patronizes his mother by saying that that is a witty response for someone who has not attended a university. Still, Tim believes that if any fool is brought before him, he can prove that person to be rational...