Sami Howell English 10 08.03.

2012

What is the function of Malvolio in Shakespeares Twelfth Night?

Within William Shakespeares Twelfth Night, each character plays a crucial role in shaping the story. This applies quite obviously to the distinctive character of Malvolio. Whilst not being one of the main characters, Malvolio, steward to Countess Olivia, is one of the most crucial characters; Malvolio provides the backbone for Twelfth Night by creating a subplot, through which he highlights the plays comedy and the main themes of unrequited love and ambition. Being the centre of the subplot, Malvolio keeps the minor characters occupied throughout the play thus allowing the audience to gain a greater understanding of the characters personalities. The minor characters attention is constantly focused on Malvolio during the play; without the presence of the steward, the minor characters would exist in the background with no real purpose. The lack of responsibility shown by the minor characters implies that they enjoy quite frivolous lives. Malvolio challenges their careless behaviour, particularly that of Sir Toby after his drunken antics become a source of disturbance: Sir Toby, I must be round with you. My lady bade me tell/ you that, though she harbours you as her kinsman, shes nothing/ allied to your disorders. 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 you farewell. (II.iii.81-85) Malvolios disapproval of Sir Tobys recklessness indicates the straight-laced demeanour of the steward, who takes it upon himself to reprimand the other characters for their behaviour. The conflicting personalities of Malvolio and Sir Toby allow the audience to build a mental profile of each character; the almost haughty manner in which Malvolio chastises Sir Toby hints towards an underlying resentment for the drunkard, whose rash behaviour and dismissive attitude constantly aggravate Malvolio throughout the play. The other characters have very little patience for Malvolios self-righteous temperament, as shown in Marias plan to humiliate Malvolio: 1

The best persuaded of himself, so/ crammed, as he thinks, with excellencies, that it is his grounds of/ faith that all that look on him love him. And on that vice in him/ will my revenge find notable cause to work. (II.iii.126-129) Firstly, Marias barbed description of Malvolio shows just how riled up the minor characters become as a result of his egocentric behaviour. Malvolios incessant self-love (I.v.23) is a constant source of irritation for the minor characters, thus resulting in the formulation of a plan to humble him. The extent of Malvolios irritability is evident in the fact that Maria was the one to gripe about Malvolio and devise a plan for his humiliation. Maria is easily perceived as the motherly figure in the play, however her fervent dislike of Malvolio and enthusiasm towards disgracing him exposes more about the two characters; Malvolio must be quite surly to be so disliked by the nurturing Maria, who is perhaps less nave than first thought. Malvolios repeated dampening of the comedic mood hints towards his lackluster personality and the reason for his unpopularity amongst other characters. Through his sanctimonious manner, Malvolio renders himself as the foil character, consequently highlighting the comedy of the play. The first indication that Malvolio is a no-nonsense character presents itself following a question from Olivia regarding Festes wit, to which he replies: Yes, and shall do, till the pangs of death shake him;/ infirmity, that decays the wise, doth ever make the better fool. (I.v. 61-62) The comment from Feste was only in jest, and should have been received in a similar way. Even Olivia, who was in mourning following the death of her brother, was able to find the humour in Festes comment and deal with it good-naturedly. However Malvolio appears to have completely overlooked the wittiness of the comment, intentionally or otherwise. Even Olivia, the one character who seems to tolerate Malvolios gloominess is quick to jump to Festes defense: O you are sick of self-love, Malvolio, and taste with a distempered appetite. (I.v.74-75) Instead, he presents a very cynical view of Festes humorous demeanor, even bringing up the subjects of old age and death, thus foiling the comic relief provided by Feste. Malvolios somber attitude emphasizes the frivolity of the other minor characters. The comparison between the different personalities allows the audience to notice the comedy generated by the other characters, which is then hindered by Malvolio. This is further proven after Malvolios aggressive reaction following his self-humiliation: Go hang yourselves all! You are idle, shallow things; I am/ not of your element. You shall know more hereafter. (III.iv.105-106) Once again, Malvolio displays his inability to 2

communicate well with the other characters due to his serious personality. Unable to take a joke, he is quite severe in how he reacts to foolishness, especially that of which he is a victim. Malvolio proves his narcissism after blatantly stating that he is superior to the other characters and not of their element, thus foiling the comedy through his promotion of ego over wit. The dramatic irony of watching Malvolio fiercely claim that he has a bright future, whilst the audience knows he is mistaken, hints towards Malvolios ceaseless ambition to become a gentleman. Malvolio is indisputably one of the only characters who ties together the plays two most prominent themes of unrequited love and ambition. Malvolios reaction to the letter from Olivia allows the audience to assume Olivias affections are something much desired by Malvolio: This is open. I will be/ proud, I will read politic authors, I will baffle Sir Toby, I will wash/ off gross acquaintance, I will be point device, the very man. (II.v.133-135) Clearly, the idea that Olivia has feelings for him is not a revelation to Malvolio; he has clearly given the subject quite a lot of thought. Minutes after receiving Olivias letter, Malvolio outlines a plan of what he will do upon becoming a gentleman. His plan explicitly shows his incessant ambition and desire to improve his social standing by becoming Olivias husband. Malvolio clearly resents his inferior standing as a steward, and is enthusiastic to have a fresh start in the powerful position of Olivias husband. Whilst Malvolio is planning his bright future, the audience realizes that Malvolio will soon be greatly disappointed, thus dramatic irony is used to introduce the theme of unrequited love. After being imprisoned for madness he does not possess, Malvolio confronts Olivia about his ill treatment: And tell me, in the modesty of honour, Why you have given me such clear lights of favour, Bade me come smiling and cross-gartered to you, To put on yellow stockings, and to frown Upon Sir Toby, and the lighter people; (V.i.309-317) The theme of unreciprocated love is clearly conveyed through the use of dramatic irony, as the audience watches Malvolio willingly make a fool of himself despite the fact that Olivia has not given Malvolio any indication of her feelings since her original letter. Malvolio is quick to demand an explanation, as he believes he has been humiliated at the hands of Olivia: And made the most notorious geck and gull/ that eer invention played 3

on? Tell me, why? (V.i.323-324) The almost desperate manner in which Malvolio demands an explanation implies that despite the humiliation he has suffered through, Malvolio is willing to pardon Olivia as long as she can provide a good reason for her torment. This introduces the idea, within unrequited love, of blind love; despite his unreciprocated feelings for Olivia, Malvolios ambition is ceaseless due to the blindness of his love. Therefore, Malvolio is able to bring together the two themes of unreciprocated love and ambition simultaneously. To understand the purpose of this character in the play, one must consider the play as a whole. Shakespeare intended for the play to be a comedy, a story where all problems are happily resolved at the end. Being the only character to finish the play without a happy ending, the audience must consider the idea that Malvolio was created not as a character who carries out the plots events, but one who causes the events of the plot to take place. His lack of a happy ending brings forth the new idea that someone must always suffer whilst everyone else is happy. This idea applies to various characters throughout the plot, but most obviously to Malvolio, showing how Malvolio is used to clearly highlight the plays themes. The themes of unrequited love and ambition would not be nearly as significant without their effect on Malvolio throughout the play. The existence of his unique character causes quite an upheaval amongst other characters, whose unfavourable reactions to his harsh personality reveal different sides of the characters, thus allowing the audience to learn more about these characters. The juxtaposition between Malvolio and other characters highlights the comedy of the play. Since Malvolio appears to be the only serious character in the play, it is as though the humorous personalities of the other characters are standard, but Malvolio is the only character who has failed to reach this standard, reinforcing his role as the foil character. The character of Malvolio combines the most important elements of the play, acting as the glue that holds the play together. In this sense, Shakespeare was able to create and use Malvolio to his advantage; throughout the play, Malvolio acts as a catalyst, setting off a series of events allowing the plot to unfold, all whilst conveying Shakespeares main intention of a comedic love story.