28th Annual Student Research Conference
Shakespeare's Twelfth Night: Malvolio's Ambitious Folly
Jamie N. Duncan
Dr. Hena Ahmad, Faculty Mentor
In Twelfth Night, Malvolio's personality contrasts with the more free-spirited Sir Toby and cunning Maria, who decide to play a prank on him by saying that Olivia loves him, which ends up revealing Malvolio's lack of satisfaction with his social status. Malvolio rationalizes for himself why Olivia would fall for him by claiming that their social situations are basically chance, and he can handle the switch. Maria serves as an opposite to Malvolio, in personality and overall success. This essay, through research, close reading, and critic interpretation, explores the likelihood of Malvolio's dreams during that time and how his dissatisfaction could have formed, and how it could give insight to the feelings of many lower-class citizens in that era. In doing so, this essay also focuses on the importance of Malvolio's side story to the work overall.
Keywords: Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, Malvolio, Class Dissatisfaction
Topic(s):English
Theatre
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 304-2
Location: MG 1098
Time: 1:15