What Is Malvolio’s Role in ‘twelfth Night’? How Does Shakespeare Present Him? – Essay – Joe Siebenaler
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What Is Malvolio’s Role in ‘twelfth Night’? How Does Shakespeare Present Him?
What is Malvolio’s role in ‘Twelfth Night’? How does Shakespeare present him?
Malvolio is the antagonist to many of the characters in the play, he is openly critical of Maria, Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Feste. This creates conflict in the subplot as the characters turn against him and he becomes a victim of sorts which serves to amplify the humour in the play. This becomes particularly apparent when he is tormented in a dark cell by ‘Sir Topas’. Sir Toby Belch feels particularly antagonistic towards Malvolio because he condemns Toby’s drunkenness, sabotages fun, and acts above his social status.

Malvolio’s name is Latin for “ill will.” He wears dark clothing and has no sense of humor, both of which are appropriate to Olivia’s choice of mourning. The countess values Malvolio as a servant because he “is sad [serious] and civil” (III.iv.5). Feste and Malvolio are complete opposites, in names and professions as well as their personalities. His stern, puritan ways are clearly paradoxical to the jovial mood of both Andrew and Toby. Malvolio is essentially a blocking figure who stands in the way of passion and is, in his own mind, an obstacle to the union of Olivia with any other man. Malvolio does not take part in the wedding festivities that concludes Twelfth Night, and his final words of revenge are discordant with the play’s ending.

Malvolio’s entrance into the play leaves
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(2016, 12). What Is Malvolio’s Role in ‘twelfth Night’? How Does Shakespeare Present Him?. EssaysForStudent.com. Retrieved 12, 2016, from
“What Is Malvolio’s Role in ‘twelfth Night’? How Does Shakespeare Present Him?” EssaysForStudent.com. 12 2016. 2016. 12 2016 < "What Is Malvolio’s Role in ‘twelfth Night’? How Does Shakespeare Present Him?." EssaysForStudent.com. EssaysForStudent.com, 12 2016. Web. 12 2016. < "What Is Malvolio’s Role in ‘twelfth Night’? How Does Shakespeare Present Him?." EssaysForStudent.com. 12, 2016. Accessed 12, 2016. Essay Preview By: Joe Siebenaler Submitted: December 18, 2016 Essay Length: 387 Words / 2 Pages Paper type: Essay Views: 546 Report this essay Tweet Related Essays William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, is a rich comedy delving into the innate human desire for love. Each character within the play has their own ideal 1,063 Words  |  5 Pages Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare In Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, the function of Feste the clown appears insignificant, but in reality his role has immense significance in the overall 552 Words  |  3 Pages Tamed Shrews and Twelfth Nights: The Role of Women in Shakespeare It is curious to note the role of women in Shakespearean literature. Many critics have lambasted the female characters in his plays as two-dimensional 1,100 Words  |  5 Pages Feste, the Decisive Fool of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night A fool can be defined in many meanings. The word could mean "a silly person", or "one who professionally counterfeits folly for the entertainment of 718 Words  |  3 Pages Similar Topics William Shakespeare Explore ShakespeareS Presentation Three Great Get Access to 89,000+ Essays and Term Papers Join 209,000+ Other Students High Quality Essays and Documents Sign up © 2008–2020 EssaysForStudent.comFree Essays, Book Reports, Term Papers and Research Papers Essays Sign up Sign in Contact us Site Map Privacy Policy Terms of Service Facebook Twitter

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Malvolio’S Role And Sir Toby. (June 14, 2021). Retrieved from https://www.freeessays.education/malvolios-role-and-sir-toby-essay/