Comedy Subplot Tipping into Darkness in Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

How does the comedy subplot in Twelfth Night transition into darkness?

At what point does the comedy subplot tip over into darkness in 3.4? (literally and metaphorically)

Transition of Comedy Subplot into Darkness in Twelfth Night

In Twelfth Night, the comedy subplot tips over into darkness in Act 3, Scene 4. The darkness is represented both literally and metaphorically, with the setting being at night and the cruel pranks played on Malvolio.

In Twelfth Night, the comedy subplot involving the characters Sir Toby Belch, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and Maria starts to tip over into darkness in Act 3, Scene 4. This scene marks a shift from light-hearted humor to a more sinister tone.

Literally, the darkness is represented by the setting of the scene, which takes place at night. Metaphorically, the darkness is conveyed through the cruel pranks played by the conspirators on Malvolio, which escalate to a point where his sanity is questioned.

For example, in this scene, the conspirators trick Malvolio into wearing yellow stockings and smiling constantly, which goes against his stern and serious nature. This prank leads to his humiliation and eventual confinement.