ing and seeking to climb the social ladder by marrying his master, a wealthy woman in society. Malvolio is stepping far beyond his bounds as a servant, and he doesn’t see that he is out of line. To marry up a class level was unheard of, but Malvolio doesn’t even seem to think about this. He is set on winning Olivia’s love from the moment he thinks about the things he can get from it. He isn’t really punished for his committal of a social taboo, but he is demeaned and taken back down to a servant’s level through the joke that Toby, Maria, and Feste play on him. Shakespeare doesn’t say that marrying up is wrong, because the marriage of Maria and Toby is given a positive light. Shakespeare does make it very clear that it is not proper for a servant, or anyone for that matter, to attempt to climb the social lattice, especially through marriage.In Macbeth, Macbeth is a Thane, a much higher social status than a slave. This is a position of nobility, and Macbeth is content with it. His and Banquo’s meeting with the Weird Sisters and the subsequent fulfillment of part of the witches’ prophecies about Macbeth is what begins to discontent Macbeth. Macbeth says, “If chance may have me King, why, chance may crown me” (Macbeth I.iii.158), but it is shortly after this that Macbeth is easily drawn in by his wife’s enticement with power and prestige. He, like Malvolio, falls prey to an unclear prophecy from a trio of witches, nonetheless. Macbeth has no reason to seek a higher position in society. He has just prior been honored with another title of Thane, he owns a castle, and is financially and domestically, very secure; however when the title of King is waved in his face behind the red cloud of murder all he sees is the crown. It is his desire to move up ranks, to raise his social net worth, that dooms him.Curiously, Macbeth is uncertain and pliable during the entire firs...
