Analysis Of Malvolio In Twelfth Night
In twelfth night, Malvolio starts off as a legitimate comic target, as the way that he acts towards certain characters in the play shows us that he could be considered more of a villain. I do not believe that we, as an audience, feel sympathy for Malvolio in the early stages of the play as we see his treatment of others, namely Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Maria. This is shown when Malvolio reprimands Sir Toby and Sir Andrew. Malvolio threatens Sir Toby, telling him that Olivia will throw him out if he continues to act the way that he does now. This displays to the audience a concept of comedy which is inversion and subversion, because Malvolio is a lowly steward, but he treats Sir Toby – who is not only of a higher status than him, but now the
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This could be because, Malvolio portrays himself as a puritan, and at the time the play was written Puritans had a clear disapproval of the theatre and had many attempts to try to close them. Malvolio does not call himself a Puritan, but it is shown by his demeanour and actions such as his opinions on Feste the Jester. Malvolio does not find Feste humorous and also believes that he has no wit. Malvolio even goes as far as to say “I marvel your ladyship takes delight in such a barren rascal…I protest that these wise men, that crow so at these set of kind of fools, no better than the fools’ zanies.” This is something that is quite disrespectful to say to his mistress, as he is nothing but a servant. This quote does show how this could be considered a trait of Puritanism, as he does not like the jokes and songs Feste sings. Shakespeare could have portrayed Malvolio in such a way to mock other Puritans, which is evidence for Malvolio being a legitimate comic target.
On the other hand, Malvolio is made to look foolish in such a way by Maria and Sir Toby that even the audience feels uncomfortable watching him. The audience can empathise with Malvolio people may have been made to look socially foolish, it's something that we instinctually feel pity for another
This could be because, Malvolio portrays himself as a puritan, and at the time the play was written Puritans had a clear disapproval of the theatre and had many attempts to try to close them. Malvolio does not call himself a Puritan, but it is shown by his demeanour and actions such as his opinions on Feste the Jester. Malvolio does not find Feste humorous and also believes that he has no wit. Malvolio even goes as far as to say “I marvel your ladyship takes delight in such a barren rascal…I protest that these wise men, that crow so at these set of kind of fools, no better than the fools’ zanies.” This is something that is quite disrespectful to say to his mistress, as he is nothing but a servant. This quote does show how this could be considered a trait of Puritanism, as he does not like the jokes and songs Feste sings. Shakespeare could have portrayed Malvolio in such a way to mock other Puritans, which is evidence for Malvolio being a legitimate comic target.
On the other hand, Malvolio is made to look foolish in such a way by Maria and Sir Toby that even the audience feels uncomfortable watching him. The audience can empathise with Malvolio people may have been made to look socially foolish, it's something that we instinctually feel pity for another