Why do the other characters in Olivia's household hate Malvolio?

• A. He constantly flirts with Olivia.
• B. He criticizes revelry and tries to enforce strict rules.
• C. He mismanages finances.
• D. He hides his true identity.

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is Malvolio’s attitude and how it clashes with the mood of Olivia’s household. Malvolio is the steward who prides himself on being proper and moral, and he openly disapproves of the rowdy revelry and freedom around Olivia’s house. He tries to enforce strict rules and silence the merriment, which irritates and alienates the other characters who enjoy wit, flirtation, and festive behavior. This tension—his puritanical, self-righteous stance versus everyone else’s love of amusement—causes them to resent him and fuels the ensuing schemes.

Other options miss the mark because they describe behaviors that aren’t central to why the household dislikes him. He isn’t portrayed as someone who flirts with Olivia, nor as someone who mismanages finances, nor as someone who hides his true identity. The core issue is his rigid disapproval of revelry and his attempts to suppress it.