The paper analyzes Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night' to determine whether it is a romantic comedy or a satire, concluding that it predominantly serves as a satire that critiques romantic comedy conventions. It outlines the romantic plot involving the duke's love for Olivia and the comic subplot concerning Malvolio's misguided affections, revealing the perverse nature of his love contrasted with the genuine feelings of the duke. Ultimately, the document argues that Malvolio's humiliation reflects the absurdity of love in an atmosphere of cruelty.

1. Phillip Reed
April 10, 2016
Twelfth Night Research Paper Outline
I. Thesis Statement:
Is Twelfth Night Predominantly a Romantic Comedy or
Predominantly a Satire? The comic plot that involves Malvolio
turns out to be a perverse reflection of the romantic plot
between the Duke and Olivia.
II. Explain the romantic plot.
PART A: An aristocratic man falls in love with a countess.
1. The Duke has set his eyes on Olivia and desires to be with
her.
2. The Duke initially expresses his feeling using poetic lines.
PART B. Cesario acts as a link between Olivia and the Duke.
1. Cesario practically compliments the Duke’s romantic
behavior.
2. Cesario plays a major role in wooing Olivia on behalf of the
Duke.
PART C. The Duke’s love faces rejection from Olivia.
1. Olivia finds it hard to love the duke while mourning her
brother’s death.
2. Olivia falls in love with Cesario.
III. Explain the comic plot.
PART A: Maria plots to gull Malvolio.
1. Malvolio’s love has no genuine source; it is as a result of
scheme.
2. The letter that Maria left is falsified.

2. PART B: Malvolio finds the falsified letter.
1. The falsified letter seems to be in Olivia’s hand.
2. The letter commands Malvolio to adopt peculiar behaviors.
PART C: Malvolio proceeds under the influence of a devious
trick.
1. Malvolio thinks Olivia is in love with him.
IV. Malvolio’s love is a perversion of the Duke’s and Olivia’s.
PART A: Malvolio’s love is an artificial fantasy
1. Olivia has no intention of loving Malvolio
PART B: Orsino is truly in love with Olivia.
1. The love feelings of Orsino towards Olivia have a genuine
source.
2. Orsino has an effort of truly courting a woman.
PART C: Malvolio winds up humiliated.
1. Malvolio isolates himself with a sense of being abused.
2. Malvolio finally finds himself humiliated
V. Conclusion
To the extent that the schemers are cruel, Malvolio’s love for
Olivia is perverse. Love cannot thrive in an atmosphere of ill
will. Although one may argue that Twelfth Night contains many
features that are typical of romantic comedies, it can be more
accurately described as a satire, parodying such conventions.
Shakespeare has purposely written a romantic comedy with the
intent of highlighting the absurdity of the genre. It could be said
that Twelfth Night is a romantic comedy but the term ‘satire’ is
more fitting as the play exposes the stupidity of techniques
associated with romantic comedy.