Malvolio is a character in William Shakespeare's play "Twelfth Night," and he is known for his uptight, Puritanical personality and his sense of self-importance. In Act II, Scene 5, Malvolio delivers a speech in which he reveals his delusions of grandeur and his belief that he is destined for greatness.
In this speech, Malvolio is responding to a letter that he believes has been written by his mistress, Olivia. The letter is actually a prank played on Malvolio by the characters Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek, but Malvolio is unaware of this. He is convinced that Olivia is secretly in love with him and that the letter is a sign of her affection.
As a result, Malvolio becomes convinced that he is destined for greatness and that he is worthy of Olivia's love. He speaks with great confidence and self-assurance, declaring that he will "be absolute 'Twelfth Night'" and that he will "sit among the cork trees" with Olivia. He boasts about his wealth, his education, and his social status, saying that he is "rich enough" and that he has "land enough" to make Olivia happy.
Despite his delusions of grandeur, however, Malvolio is ultimately humbled by the end of the play. His pride and self-importance are deflated when he realizes that the letter was a prank, and he is left to face the consequences of his own foolishness.
Overall, Malvolio's speech in Act II, Scene 5 reveals his character as a self-important, prideful man who is convinced of his own greatness. Although he may have some admirable qualities, such as his wealth and education, his delusions of grandeur ultimately lead to his downfall.
Malvolio in Twelfth Night: Character Analysis, Quotes & Monologue
I will on with my speech in your praise and then show you the heart of my message. Her love for me has suggested to her this cunning way of inviting me, through her messenger, to visit her again. Malvolio is very rigid and conservative, and he does not approve of drunkenness, singing, or joking around. Why, every thing adheres together, that no dram of a scruple, no scruple of a scruple, no obstacle, no incredulous or unsafe circumstance. This plays right into Malvolio's desire to improve his status: if he can marry Olivia, he'll have it made! MALVOLIO Aha, does she so? SIR TOBY BELCH Ah, rogue! TOBY Ay, biddy, come with me.
You are now out of your text. I heard you were saucy at my gates, and allowed your approach rather to wonder at you than to hear you. How will this fadge? For slough, the skin of a snake, used figuratively, cp. MARIA 115 O Lord! Thy Fates open their hands. Throughout the play, he's characterized as a fun-hating and overly serious character with no sense of humor. A monologue is a long speech by one character.
Read Twelfth Night Monologues From Shakespeare's Play
This idea of Malvolio as a negative influence is fully explored through his longing for status and authority. The phrase is repeated in iii. FOOL He shall see none to fear. TOBY 255 Sir, no. Malvolio remains true to himself, despite everything: he knows that he is sane, and he will not allow anything to destroy this knowledge.
TOBY I will meditate the while upon some horrid message for a challenge. Thinking him insane, she puts him in the care of Sir Toby, who decides to treat him as a madman by having him bound and put in a dark room. The instructions are set up to make him behave in a bizarre fashion and look ridiculous, but Malvolio is too excited to see that. By the end, however, he is the most laughable figure. .
As I am man, My state is desperate for my master's love; As I am woman,--now alas the day! He's completely gullible; he can't see that someone has obviously tricked him. My remembrance is very free and clear from any image of offense done to any man. ANDREW 190 Nor I neither. In other words, Malvolio is destined to make a great fool of himself. This youth that you see here I snatched one half out of the jaws of death, 380 Relieved him with such sanctity of love, And to his image, which methought did promise Most venerable worth, did I devotion. MARIA No, madam, he does nothing but smile.
SIR TOBY BELCH To anger him we'll have the bear again; and we will fool him black and blue: shall we not, Sir Andrew? ANTONIO Let me speak a little. Malvolio is stern and humorless, yet revelers and silly love-struck figures surround him. TOBY Shall I play my freedom at tray-trip and become 195 thy bondslave? OLIVIA Cousin, cousin, how have you come so early by this lethargy? You are idle, shallow things. He sends Viola, as Cesario, to convince Olivia to return his affections. OLIVIA 315 I do I know not what, and fear to find Mine eye too great a flatterer for my mind. I shall answer it. Go to, an expression sometimes, as here, of encouragement, sometimes of reproach: thou art made, you are a made man, your fortune is assured; cp.
Nay used not in refusal but in assent to something proposed, or in confirmation of something already stated; probably elliptical for 'nay, do not fear': a scruple, the smallest portion, lit. Well, Jove, not I, is the doer of this, and he is to be thanked. If I could make that resemble something in me! He is ridiculous in these scenes, as he capers around in the yellow stockings and crossed garters that he thinks will please Olivia, but he also becomes pitiable. Do you not see you move him?. OLIVIA Your lord does know my mind. Is there no respect of place, persons, nor time in you? And, to inure thyself to what thou art like to be, cast thy humble slough and appear fresh. Shakespeare uses Malvolio to show that even these sober moralists can be made to look like foolish hypocrites.
In leads or oils? There is no obstruction in this. Maria then rejoins the men, and she, Sir Toby, and Fabian have a good laugh, anticipating what Malvolio is likely to do now. MALVOLIO Seven of my people, with an obedient start, make out for him: I frown the while; and perchance wind up watch, or play with my--some rich jewel. I am a gentleman. Go look after him. SIR ANDREW I' faith, or I either? Why, this is evident to any formal capacity.
