Edward II

Shakespeare’s dislike towards Puritans becomes frighteningly apparent during the Malvolio tower seen near the end. Malvolio is locked in a dark chamber and Feste comes to see him. Feste masks himself as Sir Topas and tricks Malvolio. Malvolio is a Puritan and is being treated questionably throughout this last scene. The reason for this is because the Puritan’s were against the theater and everything it stood for. Mavolio’s character states his plans for revenge against the “whole pack of you” at the ending of the play. At the same time Feste is given the last word. It was a song deliberately favoring the theatre and the appeal to the audience, making sure they were pleased with the show. I found this to be a very interesting way to end a play especially this one. The fact that Feste is a clown reinstates this idea of the theatre and what it means to Shakespeare.