In relation to Malvolio's treatment the critic Fluchere says that "the tone of some scenes is only on the fringe of comedy" (Fluchere, 1964). ... We see Feste twisting words with a gift similar to that of Hamlet's. He turns on its head what Malvolio says in much the same way as Hamlet twists Claudius" words: "my cousin Hamlet, and my son How is it that the clouds still hang on you?" ... In this way Hamlet plays the fool during the play. ... This is another example of him twisting people's words in a fashion similar to Hamlet. ...

• Word Count: 1722
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

This is a device that Shakespeare used in Hamlet and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Ridgeway). ... It's interesting that most of the dialogue directions are about Birdboot, who is always shifting his tone to keep up appearances: "conspiratorially," "suspiciously," "instantly outraged," "urbanely....

• Word Count: 1626
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School