Is the character of Malvolio from Shakepreares Twelfth Night 'notoriously abused'? This was my courswork for AS level English Literature and i achieved 81 out of 90 which is an A.

Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare's most famous comedies, involving complex plots, which result in hilarious culminations. The main plot of Twelfth Night tells of Count Orsino's efforts to woo the Lady Olivia who does not return his affection. Instead, Olivia is smitten with Orsino's servant Cesario, unaware of his true identity. Cesario is actually a shipwrecked Viola who, believing her brother has drowned, dresses up as a man to work for Orsino. Viola consequently …

…ligious group. Puritans were responsible for the closing down of theatres because they considered it frivolous and would be despised by theatre audiences. This means Malvolio would be less likely to receive sympathy from an Elizabethan audience. Although Shakespeare did not like Puritans, he still causes both contemporary and Elizabethan audiences to question whether Malvolio was treated justly, which reveals the final decision of whether Malvolio is 'notoriously abused' to be a very complicated one.