Is Malvolio a Character with Whom We Sympathize?

Shakespeare's portrayal of Malvolio in Twelfth Night prompts a complex debate about whether or not the audience can genuinely sympathize with this character. The answer largely depends on how the play is produced and the context in which it is viewed.

Shakespeare and Over-Ambitious Characters

Malvolio joins the ranks of other Shakespearean villains such as Shylock and Edmund, whose wicked deeds are clearly explained, allowing the audience to see them beyond simple monstrosities. This draws attention to Shakespeare's possible autobiographical undertones in his works. He may have drawn from his own experiences as an aspiring writer in a theatrical world dominated by published poets like Greene, Marlowe, and Jonson.

The character of Malvolio, often portrayed as an ambitious fool, is seen in a different light when he is unjustly locked away and accused of being insane. At this moment, the audience's sympathies shift significantly. However, it is debatable whether Shakespeare intended for this change in perspective or if it is a personal interpretation that might differ based on the reader's or viewer's background and social context.

Shakespeare's Purpose and Society's Perspective

Malvolio's character serves multiple purposes within the play. He represents the Elizabethan fear that a socially inferior individual might one day rise above his station and challenge the established order. The rumour of a yellow-garters-wearing admirer of Queen Elizabeth was likely used by Shakespeare to make fun of such aspirants, much to the amusement and support of the Elizabethan audience.

Elizabethan society placed great emphasis on social hierarchy and the appropriateness of each individual's role within it. Malvolio's downfall was a result of overstepping his boundaries and displaying pride, hubris, and ambition. This lesson of social decorum was made clear through his punishment, aligning with the strict moral standards of the time.

Whereas contemporary audiences might find Malvolio more relatable due to our more egalitarian societal views, this sympathy is rooted in a different frame of reference. The original Elizabethan audience would have found it difficult to sympathize with Malvolio's actions, which challenged the fabric of their social structure.

Conclusion

The complexity and duality of Malvolio's character allow for varying degrees of sympathy among viewers. It is both a byproduct of the content of the play and the evolving social contexts in which it is performed and viewed. Shakespeare masterfully crafted a character whose moral and societal implications continue to resonate across centuries, inviting us to question and re-evaluate our own perspectives on ambition, social class, and the consequences of stepping outside one's defined role.