Jul 6, 2008
A discussion of the character of Feste and his overall function within the play, with the aid of an examination of Fabian's role in the Sir Toby-Maria plot against Malvolio.
Act II, scene v of Twelfth Night opens with Sir Toby's injunction to a character we have never seen before: "Come thy ways, Signor Fabian" (II.v.1). Fabian's reply indicates that he not only knows of the intended "sport," but that he too has a grudge against Malvolio: "You know he brought me out o' favour with my lady about a bear-baiting here" (II.v.6-7). By Maria's entrance, it becomes clear that it is to be Fabian, and not Feste, who is to hide in the box-tree with Sir Toby and Sir Andrew in order to observe Malvolio's antics over the letter; indeed that Feste will not appear in...
[The entire page is 3173 words long]
The above is a free excerpt. Get total access to this content with the:
Summary and Analysis – Themes – Characters – And much more...
©2000-2008
Enotes.com Inc.
All Rights Reserved