Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare's most famous comedies, involving complex plots, which result in hilarious culminations. In addition, Shakespeare has created an equally confusing subplot involving Olivia's servant Malvolio and the other members of Olivia's household. The main plot and subplot are linked as they both examine the manifestations of love. The subplot involves the members of Olivia's household playing a trick on Malvolio due to his treatment of them earlier in the play. It has long been debated whether Malvolio's treatment was justified by his earlier behavior or the actions of the members of Olivia's household are distasteful, malicious and unnecessarily prolonged. This question forces audiences of Twelfth Night to balance Malvolio's crimes with their sympathy for him. In order to achieve a satisfactory conclusion, both Malvolio's behavior and treatment must be considered as well as the circumstances in which they occurred. The conclusion as to whether Malvolio is 'notoriously abused' may be different and even more complex for an Elizabethan audience. This is because Malvolio is referred to as a Puritan which carries implications of the way he would be viewed by an Elizabethan audience.
             Malvolio's treatment of the other members of Olivia's household is vital in understanding whether Malvolio ultimately got what he deserved. Malvolio, who is prim, proper and with little sense of humor offends Feste, Olivia's fool, early on in the play by telling Olivia, 'I marvel your ladyship takes delight in such a barren rascal.' (Act 1, scene 5, line 67) Olivia recognizes Malvolio's snobbery, telling him 'O, you are sick of self-love, Malvolio, and taste with a distempered appetite.' (Act 1, scene 5, line 73) Malvolio proceeds to offend the other members of the household as well as further annoying Feste in Act 2 scene 3 after finding Maria, Olivia's maid, Sir Toby Belch, a relative of Olivia, his friend, Sir Andrew Aq...