english twelfth night essay

7/31/2019 English Twelfth Night Essay

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29/2/2012 English Essay Greg Frey

Malvolios function and contribution to Twelfth Nightby William

Shakespeare

Malvolio is an unlikable and seemingly irrelevant character in Shakespeares

Twelfth Night. It isnt obvious how at first, but he contributes to the play in a

variety of different and subtle ways, he adds to the lightheartedness even though

we never once see him happy. Malvolio acts as an authoritarian figure

throughout Twelfth Night, this contrasts with the other characters highlighting

their humorous qualities and creating tension and conflict which initiates the sub

plot; its in this subplot that Malvolios authoritarian symbol is deconstructed

using Shakespeares theme of madness.

Malvolios opinion of himself and position within the household causes him to

contrast strongly with the other characters; this helps to highlight their comedic

roles in the play. Throughout twelfth night we see examples of this contrast

between Malvolio and the other characters. In act three Malvolio quite bluntly

states I am/ not of your element (III. iv. 105 106), this is Malvolios admission

of the difference between them in the households hierarchy. This is a clear

example of the contrast between them thats so blatant Malvolio can state it

aloud. In fiction an actor that contrasts with another to highlight a specific

quality is known as a foil. Malvolio quite clearly emphasizes and highlights the

humorous qualities of the other characters, for example when Malvolio

comments on the loud singing and enjoyment of Feste, Sir Andrew and Sir Toby

he says Is there no respect of place, persons, nor time in you? (II. iii. 79) this is

a similar example of contrast, coming from an authoritarian stance, yet we can

see in Sir Tobys response We did keep time, sir, in our catches. Sneck up! (II. iii.

80) that the purpose of Malvolios speech was simply highlight the humor in Sir

Tobys comment. Shakespeares technique worked and Sir Toby appears much

funnier than he wouldve without Malvolios subtle contribution.

Malvolio spends most of the play in conflict by creating tension between the

characters and himself causing them to react initiating the subplot. Very early on

in the play Malvolio refers to Feste as a barren rascal (I. v. 67). This

introductory comment sets up the atmosphere of condescension from Malvolio


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to the rest of the cast. Malvolio then goes on to threaten Sir Toby, Feste and Sir

Andrew with eviction. He says Sir Toby, I must be round with you If you can

separate yourself and your/ misdemeanours, you are welcome to the house; if

not, and it would please you to take leave of her, she is very willing to bid youfarewell. (II. iii. 81-85). From this the audience can perceive a sense of tension

and aggravation that Malvolio has caused. His comment also reinforces the

authoritarian image that Malvolio portrays; he almost acts as a parental figure,

telling the characters to stop having fun and to stop enjoying themselves. This

contributes to the idea that the symbol of authority is a negative one. This

agitation of the other characters initiates the subplot; we know this to be true as

Fabian, when explaining the reasons for his actions against Malvolio says, Upon

some stubborn and uncourteous parts/ We had conceived against him (V. i.

340-341). Essentially this means that because we thought him stiff-necked and

uncivil we played a trick on him. This shows how Malvolios authoritarian

attitudes affected the characters in such a way that they retorted to making him

look like a fool, initiating the sub plot.

Once the subplot is in action, themes become a very large part of it, specifically

madness. Shakespeare uses the theme of madness to deconstruct Malvolio and

the authoritarian image he represents. Malvolio, after reading the fraudulent

letter, acts as he thinks Olivia wants him to. Whereas in reality shes questioning

whether this is very midsummer madness (III. iv. 50),this is the first sign of

madness in the play, brought to light singlehandedly by Malvolio. When

Shakespeare wrote the play society had a very different idea of madness, it was

much more socially unacceptable to be insane and cases of which where taken

far more seriously. This puts Malvolio, when locked up, in a much lower and

more desperate position than we perceive it to be in the present. He goes on to

say I am not mad, Sir Topas; I say to you this house is dark. (IV. ii. 33)in this

scenario Malvolio thinks he is addressing Sir Topas, whereas in fact he is talking

to Feste. This is just another subtle joke that Malvolio brought upon himself. It is

also another example of the uncomfortable and demeaning position that

Malvolio has been put in. Shakespeare chose to put Malvolio in this situation for


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a reason, Malvolios position in the household no longer holds any significance,

the hierarchy has been broken and a sense of equality and freedom is created.

In Elizabethan times the twelfth days after Christmas were a time for celebrationand revelry, the traditional hierarchical roles were forgotten and for a brief time

servants could treat there masters as they wished. Up until the 6thof January a

sense of real equality was instilled. Malvolio has an extremely important function

in Twelfth Night; Shakespeare uses Malvolio as a symbol of authority and control.

This authority contrasts with the other characters making Malvolio a foil and

contributing to the comedy in the play. Shakespeare then goes on to break down

and deconstruct this symbol using the idea of madness, creating conflict, and

making Malvolio the butt of the other characters large-scale practical joke

contributing to the ideals of the twelfth days after Christmas. It is likely that

Shakespeare did this for a specific purpose. It helps add to the lightheartedness

of the play, authority is something most people resent making it all the more

enjoyable and entertaining to watch it be broken down and ridiculed.

english twelfth night essay

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