Malvolio abusing Maria, Fabian and Sir Toby 1822

Robert Smirke created this watercolor drawing, titled "Malvolio abusing Maria, Fabian and Sir Toby," sometime around the turn of the 19th century. It illustrates a scene from Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” Smirke, a British artist, was known for his contributions to literary illustration. In England, at this time, Shakespeare's plays were often used to explore themes of social hierarchy and morality. Here, Smirke illustrates the class tensions embedded in the play. Malvolio, the uptight steward, is confronted by the conspiring servants Maria, Fabian, and Sir Toby. The artist presents Malvolio as an overbearing figure, emphasizing the conflict between the classes, something that would resonate with the audiences of that time. To understand the social commentary in this work, we can research the theatrical and publishing history of Shakespeare in the 18th and 19th centuries. We can also explore the changing status of servants in British society. The meaning of this drawing lies in its historical context.