Life of Malvolio in the Twelfth Night Play- Original Writing

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Life of Malvolio in the Twelfth Night Play- Original Writing

Twelfth night is a comedy which means that the audience’s expectations

are for a light hearted, humorous funny play. Usually in a comedy

there is bawdy, lewd language and romantic liaisons. In the play there

are also a lot of ridiculous and improbable coincidences which the

audience only believe because of willing suspension of disbelief. The

title Twelfth Night refers to the Christian feast of epiphany which

occurs twelve nights after Christmas. This is always a very festive

time; in many ways the play Twelfth Night resembles the comedies often

shown on television around Christmas in the modern era. Traditionally

on the twelfth night shops are closed, schools are on holiday and

people don’t go into work it is a time for feasting, dancing and being

merry. There is also and idea that there is a suspension of rules

everyone can have some fun and “let their hair down”. The alternative

title What You Will refers to the idea that during this time you can

do what you want and all rules are suspended amongst the festive

atmosphere. In the play there is a rather pompous servant by the name

of Malvolio and during the play a questionably ‘funny’ joke is played

on him. Malvolio is the person who tries to enforce and maintain the

rules and therefore spoil all the festive fun. However another

servant, Maria, along with Sir Toby Belch and Andrew Aguecheek play a

joke on him, which is later (perhaps) taken too far. Malvolio is also

very officious he values status and reputation.

Malvolio's name means "bad desires" or "bad intentions."; his name

seems to reflect his personality. In Act I Scene V Malvolio is

portrayed as a conceited, imperious man. Even Olivia accuses him of

being “sick of self love”, this means he is he is proud and believes

himself better then the rest. There is a bitter unpleasantness to him.

However we can still tell there is a certain amount of respect they

have for each other as she still asks his opinion about Feste she says

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