A Comparison Of Feste And Malvolio In Twelfth Night

In Twelfth Night, the major characters can all be compared to stock Commedia characters. I will focus on Feste and Malvolio. Arlecchino is the most renowned commedia dell'arte character in history and has become the model for fools, clowns, and mimes. From dress to action to wit to manners, it is the mischievous nature of this character type that many play writes draw from when creating the role of the fool. Servants outmaneuver master. This seems to be Arlecchino’s viewpoint of life.
The besting of those who believe themselves to be superior, using common tricks and knowledge is sport for the lower class. Arlecchino has become the general representation of the characteristically contrary charlatan, the crafty fool. Feste's job is to amuse by singing, dancing, telling jokes, and teasing everyone around him. Feste is a mastermind with words and has a flair for jesting, word play, and witty banter, which he puts to use throughout Twelfth Night.
When Malvolio is first seen, he presents himself as a simple, proper, puritan servant. One that is tasked with maintaining order in the house, spoiling the fun for everyone, which of course is reminiscent of Pantalones’ miserly behavior. Neither of these characters have lovable personalities, yet Pantalone and Malvolio are both important male figures to one of the major characters. Either as the father (Pantalone) or in Malvolio’s, case the head servant to Olivia.
They both try to woo the females they encounter, usually with disastrous results. By ‘playing’ the fools, Feste and Arlecchino are able to take a stance outside the world of the play while still remaining a part of the activity that takes place. In using their wit and jesting, they are able also to break down the obstacles bet...

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...left pillar on the stage. The seats in the front of the stage allow for the best viewing of the Shite, those sitting there can see all the details of his masks.
Few Noh theatres have a second floor, where you can see the full stage.
You can view the full stage from the second floor. Only few Noh theaters have seating on the second floor. Traditionally, shogun and feudal lords viewed performances from this direction. It is the conventional seating.
Older Noh theatres have tatami (flooring made of rice straw) rather than seats, while almost all large modern Noh theatres are made with fixed seats.
Outdoor performances of torch lit Noh have become widespread all over Japan. Staged on the estates of temples, shrines or public parks, these performances unite the beauty and emotion of natural environments, with the elegance and splendor of the performance on stage.