In act two scenes five Malvolio picks up a letter and decides Olivia has written it to him. The comedy in this scene comes from Malvolio’s interpretation of the letter.
The letter contains hints that it refers to Malvolio, but not enough to justify his reaction.
Fabian says that Malvolio is the reason that he is out of favour with Olivia, so he would ‘exult’ if Malvolio were made a fool of.
Maria reports how Malvolio has been ‘practising behaviour to his own shadow this half- hour’. Conjuring up a picture of Malvolio preening himself, his actions and movements, so that they will have the greatest effect on any future onlooker.
These comments lessen the audience’s sympathy for Malvolio and make him an object of laughter within this scene because he is jumping into conclusions without knowing the facts and origin of the letter.
It is obvious that Maria has prepared Malvolio for the trick because, as he wanders the garden talking to himself and rehearsing gestures and movements, he reflects that Maria told him Olivia admired him.
This scene shows the audience how foolish and vain Malvolio is, it is to show Malvolio’s downfall in the play and to show how vulnerable he actually is.
When playing the character Malvolio in this scene you should keep serious and focused on what you are doing, even though it’s a scene with comedy the audience will be laughing at you not with you.
Malvolio begins to convince himself that Olivia gives him more respect than she gives anyone else. Next he considers becoming ‘Count Malvolio’, swiftly reassuring himself that it is possible: ‘the lady of the starchy married the yeoman of the wardrobe.’ He fantasises about acting the Lord of the Manor, being gracious yet firm, calling for Sir Toby and telling him to stop getting drunk, and referring to Sir Andrew as a foolish Knight, when acting out this scene you have to act serious and believe that the letter is from Olivia even though you know yourself your being tricked by. On stage this is without doubt one of the funniest scenes in Shakespearean comedy. He also makes an effort to pride himself on his physical appearance ‘’should she fancy, it should be one of my complexion’’, which he seems assume is one to be admired, you have to think of yourself as being higher than all the other actors and more admired by Olivia in your imagination.
The letter which we know is written by Maria but Malvolio believes its written by Olivia refers to each of Malvolio’s character weaknesses and ensures that he is fooled by its meanings, the character Malvolio is being put down by everyone because he thought so highly of himself but ended getting played as a fool by everyone.
Towards the end of the play we are shown how Malvolio reaches in farcical high point as he deludes himself in his vain and self deceiving and sets about being rude to everyone, it is the last time we can enjoy his suffering without feeling an element of sympathy towards him.
