malvolio's image is one of a puritan. is there evidence found in the play to prove this point?(shakespeare 12n

Answer 1

Other than Act 2, Scene 3 where characters describe him as such?

Although his religion is never directly entered into the discussion, it's always seemed clear to me that Malvolio is a parody of the trappings and behaviors of Puritanism. After all, it was the Puritans who wanted the theatres closed.

He is devoted to the things Puritans were associated with: seriousness, work, enforcing their own code of morality on others, leaving no room for fun, entertainment, or Art. He criticizes the faults of others, and prefers his own rule of the household over Olivia's.

Answer 2

Sir Toby and Sir Andrew refer to him as a "kind of Puritan," but they're already pre-disposed to hate him.

If I were acting the role (or directing an actor who was), I don't think I'd be looking for the ACTUAL connection between his behavior and the tenets of Puritanism...what's very apparent from the text is that Malvolio is a real PARTY-POOPER, and that immediately puts him at odds with the carousers of the play.