Malvolio character assessment Essay Example

Malvolio character assessment Essay Example Malvolio character assessment Paper Malvolio character assessment Paper Essay Topic: Literature Malvolio shows a lot of arrogance in this act because he believes everything revolves around him, for example, M. O. A. I. This is because he scrambles around the letters like an anagram to form some of the letters of his name in the correct order. This also shows that he self-obsessed and ignorant as this letter was written in what looked like Olivias writing so he was sure that it must have had something to do with him even though it had no proper signature and it may have had nothing to do with him at all. Malvolio as a steward is a spoil-sport as he stops Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Feste from eating drinking, coming in late and last but not least enjoying themselves with songs and jokes. He does not enjoy fun as such, as he says in a sarcastic tone of voice this is much credit to you, when they sing a song about him. He is a bit of a boaster, to be Count Malvolio. This shows that he boasts about his position in the house as if it were higher than it actually is. Lastly he also believes that Olivia loves him and will marry him as he says that, the Lady of the Strachy married the yeoman of the wardrobe. By this he is implying that he likes Olivia and his mock-grandiose manner becomes clear in this scene. Maria accurately notes that Malvolio cons State without book, meaning that he uses high-flown language without necessarily knowing its proper meaning. Malvolio resorts to legalistic-type language when berating the group for their merry-making. He notes their lack of mitigation or remorse in their misdemeanours. Likely, Malvolio is not acting of Olivias will, as he claims to be, he is such a high-strung and officious character that his chastisement of the party is not out of the range of his ordinary behaviour. Malvolio is very much the puritan, as the party well knows, he dislikes parties, drinking, merriment of all sorts, and Sir Toby, Maria, Feste, and Sir Andrew openly resent Malvolio trying to put a damper on their high spirits. Although some of the groups dislike of Malvolio stems from his kill-joy behaviour, their characterisation of him, as overly proud, puritan, and meddling is correct in most respects. Maria tries to get them to be quiet, but Malvolio is awakened by the noise, and comes down to berate them for disturbing the household. Once Malvolio leaves, Maria concocts a plan to make Malvolio look like a complete fool: since Marias handwriting is similar to Olivias, she will write love letters to Malvolio and make it look like the letters have come from Olivia. The party decides to try this out and see if it will work. His soaring high opinion of himself allows him to believe what he wants to, because of this he misunderstands everything Olivia says. When she instructs him to go to bed to sleep off his madness he believes she means to go to bed with her, Ill come to thee. Olivia shows concern for her loyal servant and asks for special care of her fellow. He also takes these words the wrong way and launches into a great speech about how she recognises him as her social equal and fellow. The scheme has succeeded to make Malvolio look completely foolish but the tricksters then begin to take things a little too far when they accuse him of being possessed. When Olivia departs the trick is rendered a success as Malvolio hath taken the infection of the device and fallen for it. The audience is reminded of Malvolios snobbishness, go off, I discard you. This only encourages the kinsmen and servants pretend they believe he is a lunatic, possessed by the devil, bewitched and attempt to convince Malvolio himself that he is mad, defy the devil. They wind him up and pretend to be concerned by calling him childishly affectionate names like chuck and biddy. Malvolio senses that they are ridiculing him, and getting annoyed he almost stoops to their element by telling them to be proud about all aspects of himself, to such an extent that he is greatly bordering on superciliousness. Overall, with taking into consideration the negative and truly objectionable aspects of Malvolio, it can be seen that he does in fact need to be taught a lesson about the downfalls of his disdainful ways. The fact that he is so totally self-satisfied, means that convincing him of anothers love (i. e. Olivias) is easy to achieve. The letter written by Maria in Olivias hand refers subliminally to each of Malvolios character weaknesses and consequently ensures that he is fooled by its meanings. His vanity and value of appearance are both fed by the order to wear: Yellow stockings ever cross gartered. While his lack of humour and proposing his puritan lifestyle is his vanity. He also takes pride in his physical appearance should she fancy, it would be one of my completion which tells us that he thinks he is a person who is admired; he is generally happy with himself. When all of this adds up it can be seen he needs to be taught a lesson. The revenge take the form of letter written by Maria in her ladys hand, convinces Malvolio that Olivia loves him. The letter also says that if he wishes to be with Olivia that he is to smile and wear yellow stockings, which are cross gartered. Now if we look at the play we see why this was a very clever trick, Countess Olivia had just lost her brother and he used to wear yellow stockings. For example, in Malvolios fantasies, and sometimes separate from their clothing as Orsino finds himself becoming increasingly closer to Cesario. Malvolio not only disguises himself on the outside, but at the same time he is asked to disguise his personality by coming before her smiling. Olivia is still in mourning at this stage for her brother and father, thus making his smiles even more out of place and bizarre to her. Maria flatters him in the letter by saying thy smiles become thee well. This personality may be a disguise, although it may also be Malvolios true character that he has been forced to oppress because of his situation in the house and status in society. The new-found confidence he is given in receiving this letter maybe instead of asking him to change his personality, is really letting him show his true self that he has been hiding behind a front of hostility. Malvolio may have been masking himself previously, and now he is given the chance to remove this guise. Maria also orders him to be surly to the servants and opposite with a kinsman. Olivias kinsman is Sir Toby, so Malvolio takes this to mean that he is free to be rude and disrespectful of him, and thinks that Olivia wants him to do this to show his love for her. This is likely to only make her dislike him more- the point of Marias plan. The rest of the crew are hiding in the box tree and listening to every word he is saying about them. This does not encourage them to be lenient with Malvolio. After witnessing Malvolios egoistic fantasies, we can see why he is so easily duped by Marias letter. Ironically the man who once put down the clown (Feste) is now becoming the clown himself as he reads out coarse puns: These be her very Cs, her Us and her Ts; and thus makes her great Ps. Malvolio is convinced that Olivia is deeply in love with him but doesnt know how to tell him. In the letter Maria makes Malvolio believe that Olivia is asking him to wear yellow stockings as a sign that he loves her, a style which she in fact detests. Even though these items are not usually included in Malvolios sombre attire he is desperate to please the countess: I will be strange, stout, in yellow stockings and cross-gartered, even with the swiftness of putting on. Jove and my stars be praised! We must remember that Malvolio is still a Puritan who does not believe in love and happiness. He therefore convinces himself that it is the work of Jove that has brought this occurrence about.