Malvolio
Malvolio is a fictional character in William Shakespeare's comedy Twelfth Night, or What You Will. He is the vain, pompous steward of Olivia's household. He is often portrayed as the main antagonist.
Twelfth Night
Twelfth Night, or What You Will is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written around 1601–1602 as a Twelfth Night's entertainment for the close of the Christmas season. The play centres on the twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck. Vi…
Who is Malvolio in Twelfth Night?
Malvolio is a character in Shakespeare’s play, Twelfth Night. Malvolio is the steward (chief of staff) of a wealthy lady, Olivia. She has a large household with a score of servants, frequent guests, a jester, and a live-in uncle, Sir Toby Belch.
What is the significance of the ending of Twelfth Night?
In revenge, Maria, Sir Toby, and others play a prank on Malvolio that adds comic relief to Twelfth Night, but also reveals Malvolio's ambition, arrogance, and self-love. The play provides a happy ending for all of the characters except Malvolio, reminding the audience that not all love is fulfilled.
Why does Malvolio have to be sacrificed?
It is as if the unfortunate steward, as the embodiment of order and sobriety, must be sacrificed so that the rest of the characters can indulge in the hearty spirit that suffuses Twelfth Night. As he is sacrificed, Malvolio begins to earn our respect.
Is Malvolio a victim or a victimizer?
As he desperately protests that he is not mad, Malvolio begins to seem more of a victim than a victimizer. It is as if the unfortunate steward, as the embodiment of order and sobriety, must be sacrificed so that the rest of the characters can indulge in the hearty spirit that suffuses Twelfth Night.
What happens to Malvolio at the end of Twelfth Night?
Malvolio's end is similarly unsatisfactory as he becomes enraged at having been tricked with forged love letters, and he storms off the stage, vowing to get revenge. His ending complicates what is otherwise supposed to be a joyful conclusion.
Is Malvolio mistreated Twelfth Night?
Malvolio's Mistreatment in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night Although Malvolio is a pompous, arrogant, and vain character, I still think he was mistreated because he didn't deserve what he got from sir Toby, sir Andrew, Fabian, and Maria. What they did was too harsh on Malvolio and he didn't deserve it.
Who does Malvolio end up with?
OliviaBut they do so by playing on a side of Malvolio that might have otherwise remained hidden—his self-regard and his remarkable ambitions, which extend to marrying Olivia and becoming, as he puts it, “Count Malvolio” (II. v. 30 ).
How is Malvolio punished?
He is scorned and rejected by his peers, and punished by his superiors, and he rejects all personal and social order in favor of his own pride and ego.
Does Malvolio deserve his punishment?
Malvolio suffers great injustice at the hands of tormentors and is "notoriously abused" beyond the brink of mere teasing, he does not deserve the later treatment and crime was his unliveable character and how he wronged his superiors with words alone, however the experience has not changed Malvolio at all and he now ...
What does Malvolio symbolize?
The Darkness of Malvolio's Prison Darkness becomes a symbol of his supposed insanity, as they tell him that the room is filled with light and his inability to see is a sign of his madness. Malvolio reverses the symbolism.
Why was Malvolio tricked?
Malvolio is a serious and sober character who has secret ambitions to become a nobleman. He is rude, overbearing and insults Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, Maria and Feste. To get revenge they trick him with a forged letter, into believing that the Countess Olivia wants to marry him.
Who is the villain in Twelfth Night?
MalvolioMalvolio. The "ill-willed" Malvolio, who rains on everybody's parade, is definitely the villain of our play. He's haughty and likes to tattle on everybody. He also somehow manages to imprison the sea captain, who is holding Viola's "maiden weeds" (her dress).
Why did they trick Malvolio?
Malvolio is a minor character but he ends up being the focus of this scene. He is very unpopular because he is always grumpy and too serious. He ruins things when the other minor characters try to party and have fun. To get revenge, the others play a trick on him.
Is Malvolio a victim?
During Act IV Scene II, Malvolio essentially becomes a powerless victim, as he is locked in a dark room while desperately attempting to prove his sanity to a disguised Feste.
How is Malvolio treated for his supposed madness?
iv. 78–79 ). Later, Sir Toby and the servants decide to treat Malvolio “gently, gently,” a recommended manner of dealing with people thought to be possessed. Once Malvolio leaves, the three plot to “have him in a dark room and bound”—another common treatment for madmen (III.
Why is Malvolio important in Twelfth Night?
Malvolio's characterization is central to the plot, because his personality is what makes the trick work. Throughout the play, Malvolio's lines characterize him as a very stern person who hates anything he perceives as silly or frivolous. They explain why his plot arc works and contribute to the humor of the trick.
Is Malvolio a sympathetic character?
On the other hand, Malvolio could be a character constructed by Shakespeare to offer sympathy. From one perspective he is just a formal (although formality could be another aspect to target), earnest man trying to do what's right.
How is Malvolio arrogant?
In his arrogance, Malvolio overlooks the fact that it would be highly unlikely for a woman of Olivia's social position to fall in love with a servant. The line also shows his ambition, and desire to rise to a higher station in life. I will be strange, stout, in yellow stockings and cross-gartered (2.5.)
Why is Malvolio locked up?
Back at Olivia's house, Maria and Toby have locked Malvolio in a dark chamber to cure his "madness." Outside the chamber, Maria instructs Feste to put on a gown and beard she has procured and to pretend to be a "great scholar" (4.2.
Is Malvolio delusional?
"Look," Shakespeare appears to say, "Malvolio is funny for being delusional and for believing that his ridiculous fantasy might actually come true; nonetheless, he must be punished for his inclinations, as a way of preserving the status quo." If there's a moral to Malvolio's story line, it's that people ought not get ...
What is Malvolio character?
Malvolio appears in most scenes and is characterised throughout as a puritanical, fun-spoiling, pompous, humourless man. He is a snob, and jealous of his status as head of the household. He has an inflated opinion of himself and considers himself to be perfect. At the same time he has no idea of how to deal with people.
What color stockings does Olivia wear in the letter?
The letter writer instructs the black-suited puritan to wear the latest fashion, which is yellow stockings and garters that cross each other up the wearer’s legs (cross garters). Yellow is, in fact, a colour that Olivia can’t abide, and she is also contemptuous of the emptiness of fashion.
Who is Malvolio in Shakespeare's play?
You are here: Home 1 / Shakespeare Characters 2 / Malvolio, Twelfth Night. Malvolio is a character in Shakespeare’s play, Twelfth Night. Malvolio is the steward (chief of staff) of a wealthy lady, Olivia. She has a large household with a score of servants, frequent guests, a jester, and a live-in uncle, Sir Toby Belch.
How does Malvolio develop?
Monologues. On top of all the other quotes, one of the major ways that the character of Malvolio is developed is through monologues. A monologue is a long speech by one character. Most of the lines in a typical play are conversations, where the characters talk to each other.
What does Malvolio's monologue show?
After reading Olivia's letter, Malvolio's monologue shows how completely he's fallen for the trick:
What does Malvolio accuse the other characters of?
When Malvolio accuses the other characters of being idle and shallow, he's setting himself above them. He thinks he's better than everyone else, and he fantasizes about having power over them so he can make them follow his rules (one example is in Act 2, Scene 4, when he imagines having the authority to scold Sir Toby for drinking too much).
What is Malvolio in the play?
Malvolio the Character. In the play Twelfth Night, Malvolio is the Lady Olivia's steward and the target of a major prank. Throughout the play, he's characterized as a fun-hating and overly serious character with no sense of humor. What he wants most of all is status, mostly so he can make other characters stop doing things he considers frivolous ...
What is Malvolio's first monologue?
His first monologue, in Act 2, is when he finds the fraudulent letter supposedly written by Olivia, confessing her love and asking him to earn her favor by wearing ridiculous clothes. In this monologue, he reads the letter and then goes off on a tangent imagining what his life would be like as Olivia's husband:
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Why is Malvolio's characterization important?
Malvolio's characterization is central to the plot, because his personality is what makes the trick work. Throughout the play, Malvolio's lines characterize him as a very stern person who hates anything he perceives as silly or frivolous. They explain why his plot arc works and contribute to the humor of the trick.
Why did Maria and Toby lock Malvolio in a dark chamber?
Back at Olivia's house, Maria and Toby have locked Malvolio in a dark chamber to cure his "madness." Outside the chamber, Maria instructs Feste to... (full context)
What is the scene in Act 1 Scene 5?
Act 1, scene 5. Olivia enters, wearing mourning clothes and attended by her steward, Malvolio. Olivia first instructs her attendants to send Feste away, but he teases her into better... (full context) Malvolio returns and informs Olivia that the young man outside will not leave.
What color are Malvolio's stockings?
Malvolio enters wearing yellow cross-gartered stockings, smiling idiotically. Olivia scolds him for this behavior. However, he... (full context)
What is Malvolio's prank?
In revenge, Maria, Sir Toby, and others play a prank on Malvolio that adds comic relief to Twelfth Night , but also reveals Malvolio's ambition, arrogance, and self-love.
Who gives Cesario the ring?
Malvolio catches up with Cesario. He gives Cesario the ring from Olivia and explains that Olivia... (full context)
Who enters with Fabian?
Malvolio enters with Fabian. Fuming, he presents Olivia with Maria's trick letter. After a quick examination,... (full context)
Who mocks Malvolio's desperate cries?
Sir Toby, amused, mocks Malvolio's desperate cries. But he confides in Maria that they must find a way out of... (full context)
What happened in the 12th night?
Twelfth Night: In Twelfth Night, a woman named Viola is forced to dress as a man after she is separated from her traveling companions. She begins to work for Duke Orsino, and she quickly falls in love with him.
Who is Malvolio in 12th Night?
Malvolio is a minor character in William Shakespeare's comedy ''Twelfth Night.'' Malvolio is a pompous character who is humiliated by other characters in the story. Learn more about the character Malvolio and test your knowledge with a quiz.