Twelfth Night Coursework - Malvolio

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Twelfth Night Coursework

Shakespeare presents Malvolio as a posh, aristocratic servant who is self-obsessed and 'stuck up'. Malvolio sees himself as 'higher' than everyone else. He treats others as if he is their better.

The reason Sir-Toby wants revenge on him is because Malvolio had scolded Sir-Toby and Sir-Andrew for their drunkenly behaviour; they were singing loudly late at night, this could have woken up the entire household.

"My masters are you mad?"

This is an ironic comment which will come in later on in the play. Malvolio also tells Toby that Olivia only cares for him as a relative and is willing to kick him out of the household if he continues his disruptive behaviour; this however, is not true. This is the motive for Sir-Toby's revenge on Malvolio.
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In the 'letter dropping' scene, we see another side to Malvolio. He finds the letter and he immediately assumes that Olivia is referring to him in the letter. He then thinks aloud, he falls into reverie reciting his fantasy to himself. If I was directing the play, I would have Malvolio emphasise the 'I's' in his speech. This would get across the message that he is self-obsessed to the audience. An example: "I will be proud, I will read politic authors, I will baffle Sir-Toby, I was of gross acquaintance."

As he reads the letters out loud, ...

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