Charles Lamb and John Dover on the Character of Malvolio
Kamini Khan
Charles Lamb and John Dover on the character of Malvolio:
Lamb conveys Malvolio as a tragic character who not should not be
regarded or portrayed as comic or contemptible. Because “his pride
was inherent and native to the man…sort of a Puritan” Lamb believed
that Malvolio’s ridicule was partially due to his incorrigible weakness
and the others’ cruelty in taking advantage of him within a situation
that encouraged him to indulge in fantasies of marrying Olivia.
His nature of a sober and self-respecting temperament did not make
him intolerable but he was out of place in the Illyrian world. He
occupied a serious position of self imposed dignity as master of the
Household and thought of himself as possessing immeasurable
Qualities. Hence the air of importance that he carried. Within the
given circumstances and mental state of his mistress, Olivia, Malvolio
would be justified in his efforts to keep the balance and ‘honor’ of
the family.
Lamb regarded the scene of Malvolio’s illusion (resulting from
mischief of Maria, Sir Toby and others) as a pitiable defect of his
nature that allowed him to be receptive to “such frenzies”.
While admiring and comparing his reaction to the Duke’s,
presuming he (the Duke) experienced Malvolio’s delusions of the
imaginary love of Olivia, Lamb remarked who wouldn’t be, including
the Duke, infected with the illusion “to live but a day in the conceit
of such a lady’s love as Olivia?“ There is no room for laughter,
according to Lamb.
View shared by both critics - Malvolio is an unlikeable character
who is dignified and honest does not deserve to be falsely imprisoned
and taunted as a madman.
His self love and ambition contributed to his downfall. These flaws
attributed to his ridicule by allowing others to enter and abuse the
defects of his inherent qualities.
In what respect do the two critics differ on the character of Malvolio....