Twelfth Night Act 2, Scene 3 Study Notes

Act 2, Scene 3 of Twelfth Night: Study Notes

• Scene Context: This scene provides comic relief after rising romantic tension, shifting the tone from romance to witty banter. It develops the subplot of Sir Toby's boisterous behavior and Maria's plan to trick Malvolio.

• Scene Summary: Sir Toby and Sir Andrew's drunken revelry, joined by the jester Feste, is interrupted by Malvolio's reprimands. In response, Maria plots a scheme to make Malvolio fall prey to a fake love letter from Olivia.

• Character Roles:

• Sir Toby: A boisterous, manipulative character who leads the revelry.

• Sir Andrew: A gullible and comedic foil, easily led by Sir Toby.

• Feste: Provides comic commentary and entertainment through song and wordplay.

• Malvolio: A rigid and self-righteous character, the target of Maria's scheme.

• Maria: Cunning and quick-witted, orchestrating the plot against Malvolio.

• Scene Structure and Genre: The scene is a comedic interlude with farcical elements. The humor stems from the drunken antics, wordplay, and the characters' interactions.

• Language and Style:

• Figures of Speech: Scene utilizes diverse figures of speech, including metaphors, puns, allusions (to classical mythology and biblical stories), and proverbial language, enhancing the comedic effect.

• Rhetoric: Malvolio's dialogue emphasizes his moral authority, while Maria's veiled language subtly conveys her cleverness.

• Rhythm (Dialogue): The revelers' dialogue is fragmented, reflecting their drunken state, contrasting with the balanced and structured language of Malvolio.

• Character Analysis:

• Sir Toby: Impulsive and self-indulgent, wielding influence over Sir Andrew.

• Sir Andrew: Naïve and easily manipulated, a source of comedic amusement.

• Feste: Sharp-witted and multi-faceted, offering satirical commentary on all the other characters.

• Malvolio: Rigid, prideful, susceptible to manipulation.

• Maria: Intelligent, vengeful, and cunningly orchestrates her plot.

• Themes and Motifs:

• Order vs. Chaos: The scene contrasts Malvolio's desire for order with the chaos of the revelry.

• Deception: Maria’s plot foreshadows the broader play's exploration of trickery and deception.

• Class and Ambition: Malvolio's disdain for the revelers highlights characters' aspirations and social divisions.

• Music: Musical performance contrasts with Malvolio's reprimand, underscoring the thematic contrasts.

• Folly and Fools: The behavior of Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Feste emphasize this motif.

• Audience Effect: The scene engages the audience by placing them in Maria's scheme and encouraging enjoyment of Malvolio's misfortune, using dramatic irony.

• Scene Synthesis: This scene establishes a comedic conflict while foreshadowing future events, underscoring themes of deception, social class, and moral contrasts within the play.

• Key Quotes and Analysis:

• "'Dost thou think because thou art virtuous there shall be no more cakes and ale?'": Highlights the conflict between indulgence and morality, mocking Malvolio's rigid virtue.

• "'I will drop in his way some obscure epistles of love'": Encapsulates the theme of deception via Maria’s intricate plot.

• Study Guide Structure: The scene is analyzed using contextualization, detailed analysis (structure, style, characters, themes), synthesis (connecting to broader themes and motifs), and key quotes.

• Thematic Axes and Dissertation Directions: Explore deception, social dynamics, and the role of music within the scene. Consider Malvolio's actions and whether they are entirely his fault, or a critique of social norms or class differences.

• Note on Biblical References: The biblical allusions to Susanna and the Elders and the oath “By Saint Anne” in the scene are important to understanding the play's commentary on class, human nature, and religious hypocrisy.