Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare: Assessing Malvolio's Major Flaw

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Jessica Lipori Mrs. Kabboord AP Lit, Period 6 05 November 2013 Malvolio’s Major Flaw: Self-love Throughout Twelfth Night, the main theme is love. Each character is either in love or focused on wooing one for another, though the play focuses on the love triangle between Orsino, Viola (Cesario), and Olivia. Even with the great love between characters in the play, there is an element of self-love. Malvolio woos Olivia even though his greatest love is himself. Malvolio’s major flaw is self-love; and this trait leads him to be prideful, value himself above others, and believe that he is the victim in any given circumstance. Malvolio’s deep pride in himself makes him feel a deep sense of achievement and perceived prowess in courtship. While conversing about Olivia with Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Fabian, Malvolio remarks, “To be Count Malvolio” (2.5.34). Here Malvolio is showing his ambition to climb the social ladder by courting Olivia, who already has many other suiters, including Sir Andrew and Orsino. Malvolio is showing that he does not really love Olivia, but just wants to use her to rise in status. When Malvolio receives the forged letter telling him how to win Olivia’s heart, he states, “‘No man must must know’ What follows? The numbers must be altered. ‘No man must know’ if this should be thee Malvolio” (2.5.103-105). When Malvolio says this, it shows that he believes Olivia sent the letter and it was intended for him. Because Malvolio falls for the prank with the letter and believes Olivia, who has many other suitors, is in love with him shows that he is focused only on himself and prideful. At another time in the story Malvolio crashes Sir Toby and Sir Andrew’s party telling them to be quiet. Sir Toby replies, “Out o' tune, sir. You lie. Art any more than a steward? Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?”
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