When I first read Twelfth Night, the following words of Viola puzzled me: “[The captain] upon some action/ Is now in durance, at Malvolio’s suit,/ A gentleman and follower of my lady’s” (5.1.259-61; emphasis mine). Although the word “gentleman” here means “attendant,” other uses of “gentleman” in the text suggest that the word has a connotation of respectability. It is important to note that Viola’s words trigger Malvolio’s delivery from the dark room. The impactful line “I’ll be revenged on the whole pack of you!” (5.1.355) has led critics to conclude that Malvolio is expelled from the play. However, Viola’s use of the word “gentleman” contradicts this reading. How can “gentleman” and “revenge” be reconciled? In this paper, we will reconsider Malvolio from the following viewpoints: (1) his growth in the play and (2) his role in the dramatic structure.
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