Twelfth Night Malvolio The Fool

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Malvolio is not as innocent as he claims to be. In William Shakespeare’s play, Twelfth Night, there are several characters, each with their own unique personality. One that stands out is Malvolio, the head butler of the house in Lady Olivia’s estate. He is ponderous, insensitive, and egotistical. If Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, Maria, or Feste the fool are ever in his sight, he ridicules them to make himself feel as if he were above them in power. When Malvolio is around Lady Olivia, he treats her with respect and as a loyal advisor when needed. Malvolio constantly wishes the worst when it comes to Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, Maria, and Feste. He sees them as an intolerable bunch. He thinks of what he can do dispose of them or put them to work, like they …show more content…

Who is Feste to play god, deciding whether to punish him or how. He shows sympathy to Malvolio when fetching a paper, pen, and candle to write a letter to Olivia asking for his release. This shows a new side of Feste. Even though he is considered a fool, he is still a man with a kind heart. The scheme is revealed when everyone is gathered in the foyer. Malvolio confronts Olivia, asking why she locked him up for she left the letter for him. He is angered and cannot believe the trick they had played him, including the humiliation. “I’ll be revenged on the whole pack of you!” (Shakespeare, William. “Act 5, SC. 1. Ln. 401”). This proves that Malvolio is still the same person and has not changed. Throughout the entire play, Twelfth Night, it never crossed Malvolio’s mind that a situation like this could have occurred to him. They say that what goes around, comes around, like Karma. Though, the truth is revealed and the reasons why, he shows that he did not learn his lesson and is still bullheaded. In another universe, he is the opposite of ponderous, insensitive, and egotistical, and loved by all; but not in this one. If Malvolio was different, he could of ended up with a happy ending just like Viola, Sebastian, Olivia, and Orsino did. Like they say, you can’t teach old dogs new

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