Malvolio's Treatment in "Twelfth Night"

Paper Summary:

Foolery comes in many shapes and many sizes as William Shakespeare reveals in his play, "Twelfth Night". Malvolio's character represents a type of self-delusional foolery that we can laugh at and learn from. Feste captures the mood of the play perfectly when he says, "Foolery, sir, does walk about the orb like the sun; it shines everywhere" (III.iii.139-40). Some foolery is positive, and some is negative and deserves to be punished. This paper examines the significance behind punishing Malvolio for his foolery through a prank.

From the Paper:

"It is obvious that Malvolio's nature becomes a drag for the other characters in the play. Toby responds to Malvolio's abrasive nature with biting honesty, which Malvolio is blind to, when he asks him, "Art any more than a steward, Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale" (II.iii.110-2). Shakespeare is creating a conflict between Malvolio and the other characters in the play, which prepares us for the upcoming scene in the play."

More papers on Malvolio's Treatment in "Twelfth Night":

• Analytical Essay # 51154 : "Twelfth Night"
• Comparison Essay # 86527 : "Disguises in "Twelfth Night" and "King Lear"
• Analytical Essay # 135350 : "Disguise in "Twelfth Night" by William Shakespeare"

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