Twelfth Night - What are your impressions of Malvolio? Do you think he is treated too harshly.
Maniel Bains, Page 1 of 1 Twelfth Night : Coursework Essay What are your impressions of Malvolio? Do you think he is treated too harshly The problem involving Malvolio in Twelfth Night has been known for a long time but still very difficult. The gist of it is this. A lot of modern readers or spectators feel that the way in which Malvolio is treated is extremely bad. We expect him to become the centre of humour; we know that in the business of comedy, a very puritanical and rather joyless figure is likely to receive comedic humiliation; but in this case the humiliation that Malvolio gets, seems protracted and harsh. The harshness of Malvolio's treatment seemed to also have a negative effect on the ending, his attitude seemed to cloud the joyful atmosphere. We could argue that Malvolio bought this mistreatment on himself and perhaps deserved it after his bad treatment of the other characters; In some way Malvolio thought that he had superiority over Feste and as a result treated him unsympathetically and intolerantly. He also put Feste down repeatedly. Malvolio was also a killjoy and during the play he gave the impression that he enjoyed spoiling fun. On a positive note Malvolio seemed dignified and when he threatened Maria, he also puts across an air of stupidity. Malvolio is a time pleaser and is full of
In 'Twelfth Night' Olivia's trusted steward Malvolio, like Sir Andrew, is the 'butt of comedy'.
Malvolio Drama Essay In 'Twelfth Night' Olivia's trusted steward Malvolio, like Sir Andrew, is the 'butt of comedy'. His very name suggests 'ill-will', which echoes his role in the play. Malvolio is an egotistical, "overweening rogue", who is a straight laced, puritanical, social climbing rebuker of others for their anti-social and often sinful behaviour, or as he put it, "misdemeanours". Malvolio's character is summarised excellently by Maria in Act II Scene III: The devil a puritan that he is, or anything, constantly, but a time-pleaser, an affectioned ass that cons state without book and utters it by great swarths; the best persuaded of himself, so crammed, as he thinks with excellencies, that if is his grounds of faith that all that look on him love him. The positioning of this speech and its venomous tone is meant, without doubt, to prime the audience, and to turn the audience's neutral feelings towards Malvolio to ones of somewhat unjustified hatred considering the small amount that we have seen of him in the play so far. It is not just the under-plotters that mock Malvolio. His boss, Olivia, also criticizes Malvolio, but this time, due to the difference in status, to his face. She says that he is, "sick of self love." Malvolio's reaction to this statement shows one of three possible things about his character. Either he has enough self control to simply say
Twelfth Night Coursework - Malvolio
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. 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, I would make him act out his fantasy while reading, using gestures (for
Twelfth Night, Scene one act one
. Malvolio describes viola ‘of mankind’ meaning that he is nothing more than an average human being. Malvolia gives Olivia a very negative impression describing him as ‘ill mannerd’ and rude. Malvolio makes it clear that ‘he’ll speak’ with Olivia whether she likes it or not. From Malvolios negative impressions Olivia greets Viola intruged. She asks ‘what personage and years is he?’ showing interest and curiosity. . Viola asks for’the honourable lady of the house’ when Olivia replied ‘I shall answer for her.’ Olivia keeps Viola unaware of who she is. Viola says she has ‘ never sae her’ meaning she has never met Orsinos love before. Viola has only heard of Viola’s beauty and appearance from Orsino. Olivia is wearing a ‘veil’ over her face to disguise her identity. 2. The line ‘ I am not what I play’ would make the audience laugh as they know that Viola is disguised as a man. Viola ignores this message as she is blinded by love. By Viola ignoring this message it again shows how Shakespeare is putting across how love is deceiving and blind. 3. Unpredictable . Viola refers to playing ‘my part’ and that ‘she took great pains to study it and tis poetical’ she is referring to the fact that orsino has written and sent her as a messenger to present his speech to Olivia. Viola was not successful in making Olivia fall in love with
"Twelfth night" Lokking at Act 1 Scene 5.
"Twelfth night" Act 1 Scene 5 In act 1 scene 5 we first learn about Viola's behaviour from Sir.Toby. He enters the room "half drunk" after delaying Viola. He then proceeds to tell Olivia that he thinks Viola is a lecher, "I defy lechery. There's one at the gate". Viola doesn't pay much attention to this description as she thinks that her cousin is too drunk to know what he saying. Malvolio enters the room next after Olivia had sent him to the gate to try and get rid of Viola. He returns saying that Viola will "stand at your door likes a sheriff's post... but he'll speak with you . Malvolio gives a damning report saying that viola is "as a squash 'tis before a peascod, or a codling when 'tis almost an apple... One would think his mother's milk were scarce out of him." When Olivia decides to meet Viola Malvolio doesn't question her decision although he disagrees with it. When Viola first speaks to Olivia she asks "The honurable lady of the house, which is she?". Olivia seems to be insulted by this as she then refuses to confirm that she is the lady. She then complains about him "being saucy at my gate." Olivia refuses to listen to the praise which Viola starts to recite from her speech. She says "Come to what is important in't. I forgive you the praise.". This shows that Olivia is not intrested with what Viola has to say as she wishes to hurry her up. Once Maria and the
Explore the ways Malvolio is presented in Act2 Scene 5
Explore the ways Malvolio is presented in Act2 Scene 5 There are many ways in which Malvolio is presented in act 2 scene 5. The setting, dialogue and Stagecraft are all used in order to present Malvolio in Act 2 Scene 5. This scene is mainly about Malvolio being set up and shown a fake letter to what he would be ashamed. The 4 characters involved in this scene and with the set up of Malvolio are 'Sir Toby', 'Sir Andrew', 'Fabian' and the woman Maria. The setting is used to present Malvolio in different ways. This scene is set in Olivia's garden, and is set up so that there is a bush, or a object for the other characters to hide behind, whilst they mock and watch Malvolio read the fake letter, whom he thinks is from Olivia. Whilst Malvolio reads the letter, there is a dark and gloomy feel to the setting. This presents him as a very vulnerable figure in the play and how he has been tricked into thinking Lady Olivia is in love with him. Furthermore, not only does the setting help to show him being a rather vulnerable figure, it also shows him as having become vulnerable due to his emotions. It is suggested that his love for Olivia, is the main reason why he had fallen for the trick and if he wasn't in love with Olivia then maybe he would have not been too easy to fool. Dialogue is also used in order to help present Malvolio in different ways. The dialogue in act 2 scene 5 is
Explain how Shakespeare shows Malvolio in the play in Act 2.
Perlie Mong Explain how Shakespeare shows Malvolio in the play in Act 2. In Act 2, Malvolio appears to be arrogant, puritanical and malicious. In this scene, he tries to stop Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Feste from being so noisy in the middle of the night. When Malvolio enters the stage in Act 2 Scene 3, the first thing he does is asking a series of five rhetorical questions. This is quite a powerful blaming technique, suggesting that he thinks highly of himself and believes that he has the right to tell Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Feste off, even though the social status of Sir Toby is higher than his. He asked them, “Have you no wit, manners, nor honesty?” ‘Wit’, ‘manners’, and ‘honesty’ refer to ‘judgement’, ‘breeding’ and ‘decency’ respectively. The fact that he asks them this question rhetorically suggest that he thinks that he has better judgement, breeding and decency than them, emphasizing his arrogant nature, which can be quite irritating to the audience, especially when they know that Sir Toby and Feste are likely to be cleverer than him. Moreover, he thinks he has better ‘breeding’ than them, as they are not behaving themselves properly; however, his rudeness and pomposity prove that his ‘breeding’ is just as bad as Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Feste’s. The first rhetorical question he asks is, “My masters, are you mad?”
Twelfth Night Act 3 Scene 4 (line 80 – 133) A modern Version.
Modern Version SIR TOBY Where is he, in the name of God? He may be possessed by every devil in hell but I want to see him. FABIAN Here he is, how are you sir? SIR TOBY What is wrong with you man? MALVOLIO Go away, I want to enjoy my privacy MARIA The devil speaks within him, didn't I tell you? My lady wants Sir Toby to look after you. MALVOLIO Ah, Ha! Does she! SIR TOBY Calm down, we must deal with him carefully, leave me alone. How are you Malvolio? What's wrong with you? MALVOLIO Watch what you are saying! MARIA Pray to God that he is not possessed by the devil! FABIAN Take his water to the wise woman! MARIA If I live through this, my lady will not lose him for more than I'll say. MALVOLIO What was that Maria? Feelings/Actions Uptight because he can't find Malvolio. Delight as he has found him. Curious. Annoyed as he has been interrupted. Annoyed, as Malvolio has not obeyed her. Confused why. Confused, as he doesn't know what's wrong with Malvolio. He's insulted. Scared that Malvolio is possessed by the devil. Try's to say how to fix the problem. He's insulted again. MARIA O, Lord SIR TOBY This is not the way to cure him, leave him alone with me. FABIAN Be gentle, because the devil is rough and should not be roughly treated. SIR TOBY What do we do then Chuck? MALVOLIO Sir! SIR TOBY Come with me man! You need to play in a sand
Which do you think is the more important in contributing to the humour of the play, the characters of the events?
Which do you think is the more important in contributing to the humour of the play, the characters of the events? In the play, Twelfth Night, there are many different themes: deception and self deceit, music, love and of course humour. In all of the play there is an element of humour in it, from Malvolio's letter, to Feste's acting as a Sir Topas, and in some way or from all the themes and characters can be linked by humour. For example, in the event when Maria, Sir Andrew and Feste wrote the letter to Malvolio making him believe that Olivia was in love with him, they were taking him to dress like a fool and humiliate himself in front of everyone, and his accepts: "Jove I thank thee. I will smile, I will do everything that thou wilt have me." - pg. 93 (180) In this sentence he says that he has accepted the fact that she loves him, and is willing to humiliate himself to prove his love for her. He knows that what she is requesting is ridiculous, but he is willing to put his dignity aside for love. This in itself produces a humorous picture, and the way that he acts around Olivia, and the way she acts around him, are also comical: Malvolio: Some are born with greatness - Olivia: Ha. - pg. 127 (39-40) This shows that even the characters themselves think that his appearance is comical and that it is a laughable matter. This scenario that he had been placed in, where
'Twelfth Night' is a masterpiece made by Shakespeare in the 19th century. We have tried to 're-act' the play, in a more 'modern style' way. The next will be the review on what we have done so far.
We, the year 11 group of drama, have been working on a play called the 'Twelfth Night'. 'Twelfth Night' is a masterpiece made by Shakespeare in the 19th century. We have tried to 're-act' the play, in a more 'modern style' way. The next will be the review on what we have done so far. The play begins with a ship wreck, in which two twins are separated. The twins, Viola and Sebastian, both think that the other has been killed. This results in Viola searching out the captain. She tries to convince him to help her get a job somehow. The captain disagrees and says that you need to be a 'man' to get a job in the area in which he lives. Viola begins to dress up as a 'man' and searches out for a job. This is where she changes her identity to 'Cesario'. Viola soon finds work. She works for the 'so proposed' handsome Orsino, the Duke of Illyria. She falls in love with him, but due to needing the money to survive, she could not tell him that she's a woman. Besides this, there was another problem the Duke was madly in love with a woman named 'Olivia'. Orsino, orders Viola to give a 'love letter' to Viola to deliver to the beautiful Olivia. Viola accepts and says that she'll do anything for the Duke. She makes her way towards Olivia's house to deliver the letter to her. She knocks on her door and her butler 'Malvolio' opens the door. He tries to persuade Viola not to come in, because