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Aveer Literary Devices in Act 4

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Aveer Literary Devices in Act 4

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Dhruvv
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Rekhraj 1

Aveer Rekhraj

Mr. A. T. Lebar

ENG2DB-04

09 November 2022

Literary Devices in Act 4 of Twelfth Night

Simile

Feste applies the simile when he says, “Why, it hath bay-windows transparent as

barricadoes, and the clerestories toward the south-north are as lustrous as ebony: and yet

complainest thou of obstruction?” (Shakespeare 4 2 35-38). Malvolio's cell is described in the

simile as a room with very large, clear windows and a very pleasant view, while in reality, the

room is terribly dark and has no windows. Feste intentionally misrepresents the room to

Malvolio by using a simile, leading Malvolio to believe that Feste is genuinely insane.

Hyperbole

The hyperbole is used when Malvolio says, “Fool, there was never man so notoriously

abused! I am as well in my wits, fool, as thou art.” (Shakespeare 4 2 83-84). Malvolio

exaggerates his situation by asserting that no one has ever been treated as poorly as he has. This

conveys the idea that Malvolio is in pain and is constantly pleading with Feste to act quickly and

hand him the candle, pen, ink, and paper. Malvolio's situation is also described to the audience or

reader through hyperbole. h

Metaphor

Feste states, “Madman, thou errest. I say there is no darkness but ignorance, in which

thou art more puzzled than the Egyptians in their fog.” (Shakespeare 4 2 40-43). Feste likens

Malvolio to the Egyptians during the three days of darkness in this passage. Feste makes use of
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this to illustrate to Malvolio that he is possessed and enveloped in darkness, just as the Egyptians

were because of the "black darkness" that engulfed Egypt for three days.

Imagery

After entering Olivia’s Garden, Sebastian says to himself, “This is the air, that is the

glorious sun,” (Shakespeare 4 3 1). Sebastian paints a picture of a dazzling sun shining through

the trees when he says that it is magnificent.

Allusion

Feste alludes to Pythagoras in his statement that “Fare thee well: remain thou still in

darkness. “Thou shalt hold th’ opinion of Pythagoras ere I will alow of thy wits, and fear to kill a

woodcock lest thou dispossess the soul of thy grandam. Fare thee well.” (Shakespeare 4 2

54-57). Malvolio is warned by Feste that he will not be declared sane and, thus, will not be

allowed to leave his cell if he disagrees with Pythagoras' philosophy. Malvolio is the target of

Feste's use of Pythagoras' teaching since Feste is aware that Malvolio is a puritan, meaning that

he already holds his own ideas and will not accept Pythagoras'.
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Works Cited

Shakespeare, William. Oxford School Shakespeare - Twelfth Night. Oxford University Press,

1986. Print.

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