An analysis of the character malvolio in the play by william shakespeare

At the time of her death she was already engaged in getting together essays for a further volume, which she proposed to publish in the autumn of or the spring Of She also intended to publish a new book of short stories, including in it some or all of Monday or Tuesday, which has been long out of print.

Certainly, on a basic level, he functions as a contrast to the merrymakers, Sir Toby and Sir Andrew; he is a somber shadow of the aristocratic world and a sober reminder to Feste that the world is a serious place.

While the other characters are almost always happy, Malvolio is grave. He emphasizes the importance of dignity, decency, decorum and "good order"; yet when he thinks he sees a chance for advancement with Olivia, he abandons all such proper conduct and behaves like an utter fool.

Early in the play, Maria characterizes him as a puritan. He is always dressed in the black, puritanical costume of the puritan of that time — a person whom most people in this play would despise.

Yet he is respected by Olivia, and she does wish to retain his good services. Before they leave the forged, fake letter from Olivia for him, he is walking in the garden, daydreaming about the pleasures and the powers he would have if he were married to Olivia.

Thus, his own sense of conceit makes him an easy dupe for the trick that is played upon him. Even though the ruse is rather harsh, the audience dislikes anyone so opposed to having a good time.Malvolio initially seems to be a minor character, and his humiliation seems little more than an amusing subplot to the Viola-Olivia-Orsino- love triangle.

But he becomes more interesting as the play progresses, and most critics have judged him one of the most complex and fascinating characters in Twelfth Night. Disclaimer: This work has been submitted by a student. This is not an example of the work written by our professional academic writers.

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Twelfth Night - Maria leaves a love letter for Malvolio to find

King 1 Michael King Professor Carter English Date of Submission Twelfth Night, Malvolio Introduction Malvolio is a character in William Shakespeare’s fiction comedy by the name Twelfth Night. In the play, he plays the role, position and character of . Shakespeare's plays are absolutely chocked full of puns, references, double-meanings, and innuendos that are completely lost on modern audiences due to how the English language and society have evolved.

Many of the problems and confusions in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” are the result of gender bending episodes, many of which involve disguise and deceit of one form or another.

William Shakespeare. Twelfth Night A study showing how Shakespeare's choice of form, structure and language shape meaning by Jenia Geraghty.