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

In Act 2 scene 5 the mood is precise lighthearted and is full of theatrical harlequinade, we find Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and their friend Fabian orphic away as they await Malvolio to stumble upon the letter supposedly written by Olivia. Even though they are hidden the audience can chill out 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 give to fool Malvolio. Malvolios entrance to the scene immediately creates comedy as even before he finds the letter we find him fantasizing about being Count Malvolio, this spirit creates humor as it seems that Malvolio has forgot he is merely Olivias 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 Olivias hand in marriage. Malvolio lets his imagination go wild creating further humor when he imagines that his kinsman Toby bequeath approach and curtsy in front of him.Malvolio finds the letter and notices that it is Olivias handwriting. Shakespeare creates comedy with his play on words, Malvolio comments on how it is almost certainly Olivias writing these be her very Cs, her Us, and her Ts and and then 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, Cs, her Us, and her Ts 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 ac ronym 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 brave 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.