Comparison of Robbie and Malvoilio

In Part I we learn that Robbie played the role of Malvolio in a production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. This is yet another example of McEwan's use of intertextuality. So, why Malvolio? Is Robbie like Malvolio in some way? If so, how? Focus specifically on the Robbie in Part II.

Malvolio, a character in Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night, is Countess Olivia's sour steward. He is the sullen, self-obsessed, and melancholic. Malvolio, whose name means "evil-wishing" in Latin, is not just withdrawn from revelry, he is also its enemy. s. Malvolio is abused and ridiculed by the end of the play, but he is also left out of the reconciliations that mark the last scene.
Robbie is similar to Malvolio because he is also the employee of a household and has people he must listen to, and rules he must abide by in order to make his living. In a sense, other people are in charge of and control most aspects of both Malvolio’s and Robbie’s lives. Furthermore, Robbie is seen as a villain because he was accused of rape. Briony’s entire family, and those who think that Robbie raped Lola, see him as the bad guy, or enemy.
By referencing Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and having Robbie play the role of Malvolio, McEwan is not only using intertextuality, but he is also saying that there are similarities between the two characters. Robbie goes so far as to quote Malvolio's lines from Twelfth Nigh, saying ­ "'Nothing that can be can come between me and the full prospect of my hopes'" (123). This foreshadowing quotation warns the reader that Robbie, like Malvolio, will prove to be similarly deluded. Because of Briony’s claims Robbie will never be able to reach his goals, until his name is cleared, which is highly unlikely. Robbie, and Malvolio will never reach their true dreams and hopes, its just not in the cards for them.