Twelfth Night Misconceptions Character Flaws

Flaws make everyone perceive the world in a different way, which contributes to a play’s comedic storyline because of the misconceptions characters make. Such is the case in William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, or What You Will. The first title of the play, Twelfth Night, refers to the event the play was written for. On the other hand, the second title of the play, What You Will, presents the themes of the play, such as how immoderate behavior results from overindulging in one’s willful desires, and how misconceptions of what others say often reveal flaws in character. Specifically, these themes appear throughout the play, especially in minor subplots which allow for the most character development. Much of the play’s humour is derived from

Specifically, how Malvolio’s narcissism gives him the false belief that everyone loves him. As an act of revenge, a letter listing what Olivia loves about him, including how he wears his yellow stockings cross-gartered, is sent to Malvolio with the intention of embarrassing him by making him wear hideous fashions in front of the countess. Even though the letter is addressed to ‘MOAI’, not Malvolio, his egotism makes him believe that the letter is meant for him, “‘M.O.A.I.’ This simulation is not as the former: and yet, to crush this a little, it would bow to me, for every one of the letters are in my name” (2.5.128-130). This example of how he twists the facts, proves that his narcissism clouds his reasoning of the evidence presented to him. Misinterpreting the words of others appears again within the conversations between Olivia and a disguised Viola. Olivia, infatuated with who she thinks is a young gentlemen, convinces herself blindy that Viola pity towards her is “ a degree to love” (3.1.120). Olivia’s misinterpretation about what Viola’s means by pity shows how Olivia is only believing what she wills and fails to perceive things the way they are. Sir Andrew Aguecheek, too, has flaws that lead to misconceptions of reality. When the knight begins to realize that Olivia is more interested in Viola than him, Sir Toby and Fabian, who are already taking advantage of him, convince Sir Andrew that the Countess is simply trying to make him jealous, by claiming, “She did show favour to the youth in your sight only to exasperate you” (3.2.15-16). Sir Andrew is then persuaded by his ‘friends’ to write Viola a letter of challenge, which proves he is naive because he believes that the intentions of others are always sincere. These examples from the play show how characters such as Malvolio, Olivia, and Sir Andrew’s flaws lead to misinterpretations and errors in