Happy endings, as an American society we love them. We love feeling content and reassured that the characters we have so adamantly watched or read are now happy and can move on with their lives. However, what happens when we do not receive that pleasure, or worse the characters do not have a happy ending? At the end of Twelfth Night seemingly everyone runs off happy with the person of their choice and can move on in their perfect worlds. Throughout the play a sense of pleasure or the need to be pleased is noted in many of the characters. At its conclusion, many of these men and women have obtained some form of satisfaction and are moving on. However, Shakespeare leaves some of his characters unresolved and without this contentment. Malvolio and Antonio are both left unsatisfied and unresolved. As an audience we may seem happy, but after concerning ourselves with these two characters, we are left disappointed.
At the end of Twelfth Night Viola and Orsino find happiness with one another, Olivia and Sebastian are married, Viola and Sebastian are reunited and everyone is radiating this sense of ease. However, at the plays closing, Malvolio is left running away saddened and embarrassed. After having been made a fool of, locked away and, tortured no one seems to have any remorse or sympathy for him. Upon entering he states to Lady Olivia, (who is has thought to be in love with him) “Madam, you have done me wrong” (1844). This is a very different Malvolio, than the one we last saw pleading for Lady Olivia’s heart. In response to hearing how he has been tricked Olivia responds, “Alas, poor fool, how have you baffled thee!” (1845). The embarrassment of his actions is not even recognized and the one person which he thinks will have remorse for him, laughs at his saying he was made a fool. Malvolio proceeds to run from the room claiming to have revenge and disappears. It is clear that Malvolio is left with absolutely no pleasure of comfort in any form. He is made a joke and everyone around him joins in with the fun.
Similar to Malvolio, Antonio is left unsatisfied as well. At the end of the play, Antonio confesses his love or feelings for Sebastian. However, these emotions are left unreturned and most importantly unrecognized. Like Malvolio, Antonio is disregarded by the other characters and at the plays end, there is no real ending for him. As an audience we never see Antonio’s resolution and his confession unreciprocated. Both Malvolio and Antonia do not receive pleasure, and in this sense the play does not have a happy ending. To have such happiness, all characters would have to be pleased and satisfied. Shakespeare however leaves the audience with the uneasiness and compassion towards these forgotten men.
Why is it that these two men are left unresolved? Throughout the play it seems as though there will be some conclusion which leaves the audience with an understanding as to where each character goes. Malvolio and Antonio do not receive this and in a sense, Shakespeare seems heartless and unconcerned for either man’s feelings. Both leave unloved by the person of their choice and must undergo the consequences. While this question may remain unresolved, it does not alleviate the sense of sadness the audience may feel towards these two men. Malvolio and Antonio leave never having their love reciprocated and that leaves Twelfth Night without a happy ending.
2 comments:
While I agree it isn't a completely happy ending for Antonio and Malvolio, I don't necessarily think Shakespeare is being heartless in writing these characters. When I got to the end, I felt horrible for Malvolio, but he is left seeking revenge, and he is really getting it in a way. He is the only one who knows about the missing captain with Viola's clothing and belongings. If he doesn't tell where he is, he gets his revenge and may be happy. Antonio is a realistic character. Everyone at some point in their lives will have feelings for someone that will go unknown or will not be returned. It is heartbreaking, but it is a true reality. I think by Shakespeare not giving him this love he desires, he is making a statement about not always getting what you want and not everyone always having a happy ending.
I agree a bit with Amy that "heartless" is a strong word, but it also works in a way. If we think about these two characters as being entirely left out of the love matches at the end of the play, there is a way that their resolutions stand as a kind of banishment...and loveless ones at that. This is why it's hard to imagine Malvolio finding the "heart" to give Viola back her clothes!
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