Humor in Act 2 Scene 5 of Twelfth Night :: European Literature

In Act 2 scene 5 the mood is very lighthearted and is full of theatrical comedy, we find Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and their friend Fabian hidden away as they await Malvolio to stumble upon the letter supposedly written by Olivia. Even though they are hidden the audience can still see their reactions and hear their comments, which adds to the melodramatic aspect of the scene. The audience is anxious to see what unravels next as they know Maria purposely wrote the letter in order to fool Malvolio. Malvolio's entrance to the scene immediately creates comedy as even before he finds the letter we find him fantasizing about being "Count Malvolio", this notion creates humor as it seems that Malvolio has forgot he is merely Olivia's steward not her social equal despite his is conceited self-righteousness. The farce is enhanced by comments made by the onlookers who insult Malvolio, "Pistol him, pistol him!" Sir Andrew makes this comment, as he himself desires Olivia's hand in marriage. Malvolio lets his imagination go wild creating further humor when he imagines that his "kinsman Toby" will approach and curtsy in front of him. Malvolio finds the letter and notices that it is Olivia's handwriting. Shakespeare creates comedy with his play on words, Malvolio comments on how it is almost certainly Olivia's writing "these be her very C's, her U's, and her T's and thus makes she her great Ps" The use of the sexual innuendo referring to the female genitalia and urination is very clear when spoken aloud which is very amusing. Further comedy is created by Sir Andrews reaction, "C's, her U's, and her T's: why that?" Sir Andrew does not understand the joke, the audience finds this funny but at the same time we also feel sorry for him because he is very dim witted. After Malvolio establishes that "Olivia" writes the letter he then begins to interpret the letter to suit his situation. "`M'--Malvolio! `M'! Why, that begins my name" It is humorous because he believes the letters "M.O.A.I" is an acronym for his name. However the audience knows that it is a device cleverly thought up by Maria that has obviously succeeded in its purpose to trick Malvolio. The reading of the letter creates comedy the requests are outrageous. Malvolio is told to wear yellow cross-gartered stockings "to be opposite with kinsman, surly with servants" and to constantly smile. The thought of this is hilarious considering that Malvolio is a strict puritan and is very malice towards others.