Malvolio

Malvolio is the steward of Olivia's household in William Shakespeare's comedy, Twelfth Night, or What You Will. Malvolio's ethical values are commonly used to define his appearance. In the play, Malvolio is defined as a "kind of" Puritan. He despises all manner of fun and games, and wishes his world to be completely free of human sin, yet he behaves very foolishly against his stoic nature when he believes that Olivia loves him. This leads to majo... more

Malvolio is the steward of Olivia's household in William Shakespeare's comedy, Twelfth Night, or What You Will. Malvolio's ethical values are commonly used to define his appearance. In the play, Malvolio is defined as a "kind of" Puritan. He despises all manner of fun and games, and wishes his world to be completely free of human sin, yet he behaves very foolishly against his stoic nature when he believes that Olivia loves him. This leads to major conflicts with characters such as Toby Belch, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and Maria, mistress of the household. He proves himself to be something of a hypocrite when alone, however, fantasizing himself luxuriating on a day-bed while wearing a "branched velvet gown." Much of the play's humour comes from Maria, Feste, Toby Belch, and Andrew Aguecheek tormenting Malvolio with drinking, joking, and singing. Later on in the play Maria devises a way to have revenge upon Malvolio, and proposes it to Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Feste. Maria composes a letter... less