Malvolio's importance in conveying different thems in Twelfth Night
In Twelfth Night, Shakespeare reveals major themes of the play through Malvolio’s sub plot. The themes which are conveyed are the self-delusions of desire, what people will do in order to fulfill those desires, and the madness of love. Malvolio is tricked into believing that Olivia is in love with him. Maria writes a letter which she tells Malvolio is from Olivia. Within the letter are instructions which Olivia asks Malvolio to carry out so he can show his love for her. As soon as he reads the letter he instantly wants Olivia to know that he loves her in return. This feeling which Malvolio has, expresses the theme of the self-delusions of desire. He doesn’t really love Olivia, what he really wants is to be powerful and wealthy.