How is Malvolio from Twelfth Night a comedic character?

Answer 1

Malvolio is what they called in Shakespeare's day a "humourous man", a person excessively dominated by a particular characteristic. Tormenting such a person is an element in several comedies. In Malvolio's case, his dominating humour is pride, and the belief that he is more than just a steward. In one scene and in one scene only does the sending-up of Malvolio's vanity reach truly hilarious proportions, and this is the scene where he reads the cryptic letter he supposes to be from Olivia. The scene where he appears before Olivia cross-gartered and smiling is also pretty funny. Watch a performance of either of these scenes by any competent actor (Alec Guinness or Nigel Hawthorne are both recommended) and you will see what I mean.