Some of our Year 12 A Level English Literature students got into character today to explore the comedy and impact of dramatic irony in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Can you spot Malvolio’s iconic yellow stockings? In the play, Malvolio wears yellow stockings and cross-garters because Maria’s forged letter tricks him into believing Olivia loves him and admires this particular style. The audience knows he has been deceived, creating dramatic irony and comedy when he appears before Olivia, who is horrified by his outfit and behaviour.

She did commend my yellow stockings of late, she did praise my leg being cross-gartered, and in this she manifests herself to my love and, with a kind of injunction, drives me to these habits of her liking. — Malvolio, Act 2, Scene 5