How do your feelings change towards Malvolio during the course of the play Essay Example For Students

How do your feelings change towards Malvolio during the course of the play Essay Malvolio was a very important member in Olivias household. Being the steward he was responsible for a lot of things in the house. He was a conscientious and efficient steward who Olivia cared much about. I would not have him miscarry for the half of my dowry ( Act 3, Scene 4, Line 62-62 ) Malvolios service and his judgement were valued by Olivia. if it be a suit from the Count, Im sick, or not at home what you will do dismiss it ( Act 1, Scene 5, Line 98 ) We first met Malvolio in Act 1, Scene 5 when Feste was trying to prove to Olivia that she was the fool for mourning for her brother when she knew that his soul was in heaven. Olivia asked for Malvolios opinion on Feste. Malvolio was critical, bitter and sarcastic in his response. He replied as if he was looking forward to Festes death. Yes, and shall do till the pangs of death shake him ( Act 1, Scene 5, Line 67 ) He referred Feste as a barren rascal and totally put him down. He didnt actually speak directly to Feste, he talked bad of Feste right in front of him, as if he didnt existed. Malvolios comments on him were scornful. He said Feste needed an audience or hed have nothing to say. This in fact is very true, actors need audience to complete their performance or their act would be totally pointless, and vice versa, audience needs actors also! Olivia described Malvolio as sick of self love . This is very true. Malvolio was interested in himself only. He was so concerned about himself that he couldnt be open with dealings of other people. He looked down on people because he thought he was higher than everybody else, except for Olivia. Malvolio had absolutely no sense of humour and often took himself and others too seriously. Malvolio was sent to tell the young gentleman at the gate ( Cesario ) that Olivia would not want to speak to him, he came back and reported to Olivia. Malvolio explained every detail to Olivia, saying that Cesario would not go until he had spoken to Olivia. Malvolio was very slow in thinking and was over elaborating the point In the end Olivia accepted to see Cesario, and called Maria. Gentlewoman, my lady calls said Malvolio. Malvolio needed to dignify his role so he spoke to make himself sound important. He thought himself as more superior than other servants in the household. He didnt like Marias close relationship with Olivia. He thought he didnt fit in the rest of the group, because he was higher and bigger than the others. Having been told by Olivia to chase Cesario, Malvolio ran after Cesario, against his dignity to return the ring. Malvolio was taking it out on him and said nasty things. She returns this ring to you, sir; you might have saved me my pains to have taken it away yourself ( Act 2, Scene 2, Line 5 ) He treated Cesario as the messenger, he had no idea how high Cesario was to Orsino. He did deliver nearly exactly what Olivia said. Malvolio was deliberately rude to Cesario. Malvolio was very surprised that Olivia would accept to see Cesario in the first place. Because Cesario denied that he threw a ring at Olivia, Malvolio was annoyed and threw it on the ground. If it be worth stooping for, there it lies in your eye; if not, be it his that finds it. ( Act 2, Scene 2, Line 13 ) Malvolio was a real puritan, and that was one of the main reasons why he never got along with Maria, and Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and especially Sir Toby! Malvolio completely disagrees with Sir Tobys lifestyle. In Act 2, Scene 3, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Feste and Sir Toby were up very late and were totally drunk and they were singing which woke up Maria. They were having a great time until Malvolio stormed in. His attitude was very offensive. William Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, was full of de EssayMalvolio was more sure than ever that Olivia loved him, he was full of himself. He was going to carry out the other instructions on the forged letter, he was to be opposite with a kinsman, surly with servants and let his tongue tang with arguments of state and put himself into the trick of singularity. He was thanking Jove all the time but he was only godly when he thought he could get something good of it. He wasnt really in a belief or religion. Malvolios behaviour to Maria, Sir Toby and Fabian was exactly what was suggested in the letter. Maria, Sir Toby and Fabian were determined that Malvolio should be locked away. In those days, when someone was believed to have gone mad, they were beaten, bound and / or driven out. Malvolio was treated, as if he really was absolutely mad. We met Malvolio again in Act 4, Scene 2, this was the point our feelings towards Malvolio start to change. Malvolio was locked up in a dark room to cure his midsummer madness . Feste was persuaded by Maria to dress up as a priest, Sir Topas. He went to the dark room where Malvolio was locked and the priest was to interview him. Malvolio was relieved to hear a priests voice whom he thought would release him but Feste, instead of helping him, was confusing Malvolio even more, telling him that he wasnt in a dark room but in a room full of light. Sir Topas said to Malvolio that he was to remain in the dark room. Feste promised to bring Malvolio ink, pen, and paper in which Malvolio requested so that he could write to his lady and explain everything. Poor Malvolio was completely hopeless. I am not mad, Sir Topas ( Act 4, Scene 2 Line 38 ) Afterall, Malvolio hadnt done much wrong except to have offended Maria and Sir Toby. He was innocent for the madness that people accused him of. On the video we saw, in this scene, Malvolio was crying which was very rare, and the fact that Sir Topas came on and confused him and abused him even more made the audience gain sympathy back on Malvolio. The last time we met Malvolio was when the letter that Malvolio had written got into Olivias hands, a letter from the madly used Malvolio . By the Lord, madam, you wrong me, and the world shall know it. Though you have put me into darkness and given your drunken cousin rule over me, yet have I the benefit of my senses as well as your ladyship. ( Act 5, Scene 1 , Line 290-293 ) Malvolio returns, clutching the love letter sent by Olivia , as an evidence that she has misused him. The things Malvolio said between line 317 to line 331 was very touching, he was saying all the things that he had suffered. Tell me why ( line 331 ) Malvolio asked Olivia, he really couldnt believe why this had happened to him. Malvolio found out the truth that the letter was written by Maria, and everything was a set up. Then Feste came up, and explained everything. Feste kept quoting from the forged letter, and revealed that he was Sir Topas. Feste remembered when Malvolio said to Olivia, Madam, Lord, why laugh you at such a barren rascal? An you smile not hes gagged . This explained why Feste brought his revenge on Malvolio. Malvolio, as Olivia said, was indeed notoriously abused and threatened to have his revenge on everyone. Malvolio was excluded from the happiness and good fortune of the other main characters, and he left, on his own, drowned in sorrow.