Audience's Perceptions of Malvolio

Audience's Perceptions of Malvolio

Malvolio is Olivia’s administrator. He is the one and only character

in this play who ever seems to be making a mindful effort to be

‘honest’ but also the only one of the household who shows no genuine

like towards fellow workers and masters. This immediately tells us

that people are going to dislike him and, in a way try to get back at

him. On the other hand, he is the only effective and with no doubt

devoted employee. As a steward his main job is to manage Olivia’s

household and arrange certain affairs. Malvolio’s intentions are to

run an orderly house and keep Olivia in happiness, this being out of

common affection and of course duty to both. Although he is a very

pompous man, he must be good at what he does, yet particularly

frustrated by other characters intentions.

This essay will be exploring how Malvolio is a strong victim for

humour, how Shakespeare shapes the audiences perception of Malvolio

and in what scenarios this has become apparent. I will be focusing

mainly on Act 2 Scene 3, Act 3 Scene 4 and Act 4 Scene 2 as this is

when Malvolio’s character has been displayed most but of course will

be referring to other scenes for further support to the argument.

Malvolio’s strange conduct first becomes apparent in Act 2 Scene 3.

Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Feste are drinking and singing. It is very

late; they are very drunk and very loud. Maria comes in to quiet them

down, but it’s all just too exciting and she doesn’t want to end the

fun everyone is having at the party. Typically Malvolio ruins the

evening with his bad temper and

scolding, ...

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...ay this. Although Malvolio is a prude,

a hypocrite, and completely changes his apparently ‘puritanical

lifestyle’ for the love of Olivia, he does not deserve the cruel

treatment that he receives from the trick started by Maria, Sir Toby,

and Feste. Malvolio is a "joy-killer" by nature who consistently

punctures the high spirits of Toby and his group, but Toby himself is

not a complete innocent by any means. Moreover, Malvolio' inflated

sense of self-importance is behind his behavior leading to the ploy

working. Nonetheless, imprisoned for his lunacy, Malvolio is subjected

to the definitely "unfunny" taunts of Feste, and even Sir Toby

suggests maybe they should stop tormenting him. Malvolios character

seems to be one that earns both our ridicule and, due to the severity

of the abuse put upon him, our sympathies as well.