Analysis of Twelfth Night Act II, scene iii
Close Reading of Twelfth Night Act II, scene iii In Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, Act II, scene iii adds to the comical direction of the play by providing a merry comedy by Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Feste in their jesting songs, jokes and "unruly" conduct. It also prepares the humiliation of Malvolio at the hands of the others, and the peevishness and conceited nature of Malvolio in great detail. Finally, this scene subtly foreshadows Sir Toby and Fabian's trick on Sir Andrew by revealing Andrew's "unrequited" love for Olivia. With these agendas in mind one can proceed to "direct" the moods and actions of the characters. Thus this scene provides a good depiction of the motives, and personalities of Maria, Malvolio, Feste, Sir Toby and Sir Andrew. Prior to Scene Three, Feste the clown is depicted as an "idiot," ostracized by Maria, Olivia and Malvolio because of his "ridiculous" actions. However, in this scene he displays his hidden talents more fully by joining Sir Toby in a very skillful repartee replete with amusing, nonsensical dialogue and invented names such as "Pigrogromitus," "the Vapians," "Queubus," "impeticos," "gratillity" ... "Malvolio's nose is on whipstock...the Myrmidons are no bottle-ale houses" (Lines 24-2
Toby's treatment of Sir Andrew is proof of his shaky morals. He exudes a very pompous attitude towards all as he chastises them: ". Is there no respect of place, person or time in you?" (Lines 87-92). He gives the lead to Andrew by making him stay up and drink, thereby making it easier for the audience to understand how easily he dupes Andrew later on into believing that Olivia really loves him, and that Viola is trying to steal Olivia's love away from him. Sir Andrew, on the other hand, is Toby's innocent as well as ignorant dupe. Sir Toby very easily persuades Sir Andrew to stay up longer than he really wants to and drink. We also see him as one who is well aware of the consequences of his outward behavior by saying nothing after Malvolio's parting threat but rather, stands by pensively biding his time to seek revenge. have you no wit, manners, nor honesty. Maria is fond of Sir Toby and Andrew's merriment, but not the brawling, remarking to Toby, "For the love o'God, peace!" (Line 86). She scorns him while at the same time "adoring" Toby as he tells us, "She's a beagle true-bred, and one that adores me" (Lines 179-180). Even his plan to challenge Malvolio to a dual and not show up runs down the same alley with his cowardice and lack of inventiveness (his cowardice further shown in the duel scene with Viola). He follows Toby's lead and advice in everything thereby proving his lack of spirit, wit and originality. Andrew rewards Feste only after Toby's monetary generosity, and Sir Andrew is tricked (as he is later) into getting more money for his pursuit of Olivia, never suspecting Toby's real purpose.
Common topics in this essay:
Sir Andrew,
Malvolio Toby,
Toby Andrew's,
Sir Toby,
Vapians Queubus,
Maria Feste,
Andrew Feste,
Feste Malvolio,
Twelfth Night,
Act II,
sir andrew,
sir toby,
twelfth night,
twelfth night act,
night act ii,
maria malvolio,
stay drink,
malvolio's arrogant,
toby sir,
andrew stay,
scene iii,
ii scene iii,
andrew stay drink,
ii scene,
act ii scene,
|
Acceptance Essays
