Twelfth Night Misconceptions Character Flaws

Flaws make everyone perceive the world in a different way, which contributes to a play’s comedic storyline because of the misconceptions characters make. Such is the case in William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, or What You Will. The first title of the play, Twelfth Night, refers to the event the play was written for. On the other hand, the second title of the play, What You Will, presents the themes of the play, such as how immoderate behavior results from overindulging in one’s willful desires, and how misconceptions of what others say often reveal flaws in character. Specifically, these themes appear throughout the play, especially in minor subplots which allow for the most character development.

Much of the play’s humour is derived from

the deception, confusion, and relationships between characters that eventuate from the overindulgence of the character’s willful desire. For example, in the prank of writing a love letter to Malvolio to dupe him for acting like every servant’s superior. This prank, performed mainly by Sir Toby, Feste, and Maria, soon escalates into incessant torment when they treat Malvolio like a madman by having him “in a dark room and bound” (3.4.122). Though they have already succeeded in getting revenge for Malvolio’s earlier rudeness, Sir Toby, Maria, and Feste continue to torture him by having Feste disguise himself as a priest and try to pry the devil out of Malvolio. Their lack of restraint while avenging Malvolio demonstrates how one can get carried away with indulging in willful desires. Additionally, excessive greed can lead to deceit, as is the case with Sir Toby’s relationship with Sir Andrew. While speaking to Fabian, Sir Toby informs him that he takes advantage of Sir Andrew’s wealth by pretending to be his friend, by saying, “I have been dear to him, lad, some two thousand [ducats] strong, or so” (3.2.49-50). This quotation shows how Sir Toby’s acquisitiveness and love for drinking causes him lie to Sir Andrew for money. The count Orsino also displays an overwhelming need to acquire what he wants when he pursues Olivia even though she does not return his feelings of love. He tells Cesario that her refusal to marriage is only due to her being a woman, and that no women can love as strong as men do, saying, “There is no woman’s sides / Can bide the beating of so strong a passion / As love doth give my heart” (2.4.91-93). As he continues to send Olivia declarations of his love, Orsino’s obsession with the idea of romance and his infatuation with Olivia becomes completely irrational, which leads to a comedic scene later in the play when Orsino and Olivia meet. Through humourous subplots, Shakespeare effectively captures the idea that strong-willed desires for revenge, money, and love affect one’s ability to make logical decisions.
Characters misinterpret the meaning of what other characters say, which leads to the revelation of their flaws.

Specifically, how Malvolio’s narcissism gives him the false belief that everyone loves him. As an act of revenge, a letter listing what Olivia loves about him, including how he wears his yellow stockings cross-gartered, is sent to Malvolio with the intention of embarrassing him by making him wear hideous fashions in front of the countess. Even though the letter is addressed to ‘MOAI’, not Malvolio, his egotism makes him believe that the letter is meant for him, “‘M.O.A.I.’ This simulation is not as the former: and yet, to crush this a little, it would bow to me, for every one of the letters are in my name” (2.5.128-130). This example of how he twists the facts, proves that his narcissism clouds his reasoning of the evidence presented to him. Misinterpreting the words of others appears again within the conversations between Olivia and a disguised Viola. Olivia, infatuated with who she thinks is a young gentlemen, convinces herself blindy that Viola pity towards her is “ a degree to love” (3.1.120). Olivia’s misinterpretation about what Viola’s means by pity shows how Olivia is only believing what she wills and fails to perceive things the way they are. Sir Andrew Aguecheek, too, has flaws that lead to misconceptions of reality. When the knight begins to realize that Olivia is more interested in Viola than him, Sir Toby and Fabian, who are already taking advantage of him, convince Sir Andrew that the Countess is simply trying to make him jealous, by claiming, “She did show favour to the youth in your sight only to exasperate you” (3.2.15-16). Sir Andrew is then persuaded by his ‘friends’ to write Viola a letter of challenge, which proves he is naive because he believes that the intentions of others are always sincere. These examples from the play show how characters such as Malvolio, Olivia, and Sir Andrew’s flaws lead to misinterpretations and errors in

judgement.
Every character in Twelfth Night, or What You Will has a unique perspective on what way it is appropriate to act, but they all have similar flaws and excessive desires to make what they will of what they see. These gaps in perspective between characters create conflict and humour, and reveal inner traits about each character, and more importantly, encourage the audience to understand what happens when everyone makes what they will of the world.