Notes

This is the longest scene in the play and deals with the main plot as well as the subplots. Several cases of mistaken identity are carried out as well as different characters who so far have not interacted with each other. The intrigue against Malvolio reaches its climax when Malvolio's changed appearance and behavior gives rise to humor as well as concern that he is a madman, since he acts so out of character. Olivia cannot take his new appearance seriously and wonders if he has not come down with "midsummer madness." Maria goads Malvolio on by giving him cues to continue his nonsensical blathering. So engrossed is Olivia in her own affairs, she gives the perpetrators of the hoax full permission to punish him as they please although she is also concerned about him.

Malvolio’s apparent madness is just another guise of love, which many of the characters sport in this play. His self-love forces him to be completely out of character and therefore he appears more insane than others who have kept their love within the realms of ‘courtly romance.’ Malvolio is not part of the more noble scheming of Olivia and Duke Orsino and is therefore deemed mad. As Olivia comments, "I am as mad as he/If sad and merry madness equal be."

Shakespeare sustains this long scene through the many different threads of the play coming together and creating mass confusion. The interest of the audience is maintained by a series of fast paced dramatic situations, which are ludicrous as well as heartrending, and the humor that comes from knowing more than the characters do about what is going on.

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