Cruelty In Twelfth Night By William Shakespeare

Prompt 1
Cruelty is an element in most works of literature, whether it is floating on the surface, or buried in the depths. In Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, acts of cruelty such as disguise and deceivement build the plot through the entanglement of love and relationships that can only be resolved if these acts cease. Acts of cruelty occur just beneath the noses of both Lady Olivia and Duke Orsino, but in deep disguise. Though no matter the situation, what hides in the dark must always come to light. A cruel prank on Malvolio, a member of Lady Olivia’s household, initiated in Act II, Scene V is a supposed love letter from Lady Olivia. The prank is carried out by Maria, a servant in the household of Lady Olivia, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, a friend of Lady Olivia’s uncle, Sir Toby

Just prior to Malvolio strolling into the garden, the letter is carefully planted by Maria as the men hide to watch Malvolio’s ridiculous reaction. Before even stumbling upon the letter, Malvolio begins thinking out loud, imagining his life if he were to be married to Lady Olivia. He speaks to himself in the garden about how he would call his servants to him, and that he would be Count Malvolio. Finally, he sees the letter. He excitedly picks it up and sees what he believes to be Lady Olivia’s handwriting, though it is Maria’s. He also sees the wax seal that Lady Olivia uses, and this seals the idea in his mind that this letter is from Olivia. He opens the letter and reads all the way through. Malvolio is so self-obsessed, he stretches his imagination, to try and make the content of the letter connect to him. His extremely hubristic ways cause him to wholeheartedly believe that this letter was meant for him, even though the actual chances that Lady Olivia would fall in love with him are so slim. Maria had planted some instructions in the letter, like what Malvolio should