Thinking about Malvolio in Twelfth Night

[xiphias]

So, Lis and I were talking this morning about Malvolio and how he ends up leaving on the line "I'll be revenged on the whole pack of you." And how that can give a rather somber and disturbing tone to the end of the play

Comments

[beaq]

I think it would make a lot more sense than the way I usually see it played. That one leaves me hanging.

[kimberly_a]

Twelfth Night is one of my favorite of Shakespeare's plays, but Malvolio's ending has always bothered me, as it seems out of tune with the rest of what goes on. I don't like how cruel everyone is to him and I don't like how (rightfully) bitter he is.

Yeah, I think Malvolio is rightfully bitter, because the others treat him horribly. In order to make Malvolio's end less bitter, I think you would have to make the others less mean-spirited, less derisive and judgmental throughout.

I'd like to think that this was what Shakespeare intended, but I don't think the text supports that interpretation. I do, however, think that it could be played that way with some judicious cutting of certain parts of the text, as well as with facial expressions and tone of voice.

As for me as an audience member, yes, I would find that interpretation satisfying, since -- as I mentioned -- the ending has always struck a false chord with me. I'd be interested to see such a performance.

[kightp]

Sorry, but I think Shakespeare was intentionally using Malvolio to poke malicious fun at a particular breed of bureaucratic functionary, and absolutely meant him to get his comeuppance in the end.

I also think that touch of darkness is part of what elevates the play from run-of-the-mill romance of mistaken identities to the sublime.

Sure, you could read/play it as you suggest (Shakespeare is nothing if not open to interpretation). But I think you'd have a less potent - and less satisfying - play.

Interesing!

[dakiwiboid]

I once saw a young actor perform Malvolio so well that I really felt for him when he was being mocked and tormented. He ended up with pretty much the lion's share of the applause in that production. If his peers in that production had been as skillful actors as he, they might have been able to pull off such an interpretation.

malvolio

[anonymous]

akiva here