Malvolio is the steward of Olivia, a wealthy single woman in Illyria. He is constantly at odds with the other inhabitants of Olivia' house; her drunken uncle, Sir Toby Belch, her housekeeper Maria (who loves Sir Toby), her jester, Feste, and frequent visitor Sir Andrew Aguecheek, her would-be suitor. Essentially, all these people dislike Malvolio because, although the word is not used, he is a Puritan. His grimly dutiful view of life is in complete contrast to their lazy, jovial outlook; he wants to reform them, especially Sir Toby. The others have no intention of being reformed; as Toby says to Malvolio, "Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there will be no more cakes and ale?" In revenge for his meddling, they plot to convince him that Olivia, his employer, is secretly in love with him. They forge a letter from her, begging him to wear yellow stockings and cross-garters, and to smile a lot; he does so, and of course Olivia thinks he has gone insane and has him locked up. Eventually Malvolio is released, but leaves saying "I'll be revenged on the whole pack of you" – strangely prophetic words as the Puritans were later to take over England (and, among other things, close the theatres.)
