Act 2, Scenes 1–3 Summary and Analysis
Scene 1
The first scene of Act 2 begins on the coast. Antonio's captain asks his companion, Sebastian, whether he intends to leave. Sebastian responds that he must go alone, bearing his evils rather than laying them on Antonio.
Sebastian does not know where he is going or what he will do, for Antonio has rescued him from the sea, and he is the last of his family; his sister has drowned. His sister, Sebastian continues, greatly resembled him, but now he has only memories of her. Antonio regrets that he could not have offered Sebastian greater hospitality, while Sebastian regrets causing Antonio so much trouble.
Antonio begs once more to travel with Sebastian, who denies his plea. Sebastian has now decided to go to the court of the Duke Orsino, and he begins his journey. Antonio reflects that although he has enemies among Orsino's people, he may follow Sebastian.
Scene 2
Malvolio catches up with Viola to "return" Olivia's ring, and he reiterates that Olivia will have nothing to do with the Duke but that Viola may return to report the Duke's reaction. Viola is confused, for she has left no ring with Olivia, but Malvolio does not accept this reply.
As she reflects on the situation, Viola realizes that Olivia has fallen in love with her, and she laments her muddled situation: the Duke loves Olivia; Viola loves the Duke, and now Olivia, deceived by Viola's disguise, loves Viola. "O time," Viola cries, "thou must untangle this, not I, / It is too hard a knot for me t' untie."
Scene 3
Sir Toby and Sir Andrew reappear in scene 3. It is late at night, and they are both drunk. They speak of the proper time to go to bed (late) and the meaning of life (eating and drinking). Feste joins them, and Sir Toby and Sir Andrew demand a love song, which Feste provides for a price. After a witty exchange filled with wordplay about bad breath and dogs, the three decide to sing a "catch" or a round.
At that point, Maria enters and warns them that if they do not stop their caterwauling, Malvolio will come and turn them all out. Malvolio does appear shortly after to find the three still singing loudly. He scolds them for their lack of manners and respect at such a late hour, and he warns Sir Toby that if he does not amend his ways, Olivia will part company with him.
With Feste's assistance, Sir Toby merely sings in response to Malvolio's rebukes. Sir Toby declares that just because Malvolio wants to be virtuous does not mean everyone else must give up their "cakes and ale." Malvolio departs in disgust.
Sir Toby would like nothing more than to make a fool of Malvolio in some way, but Maria says to leave the matter to her. She remarks on how Malvolio is filled with pride and assures the others that her revenge will strike directly at those vices. She plans to drop a love letter in Malvolio's path, a letter that will appear to come from Olivia, whose handwriting Maria can imitate.
Malvolio will think that Olivia has fallen in love with him, and Maria and the three men will have fun observing the consequences. The scene ends when Sir Toby and Sir Andrew leave for another drink.
Analysis
The first scene of Act 2 introduces two new characters and provides the audience with crucial information. Antonio and Sebastian appear abruptly; at first, the audience may wonder who they are. As their conversation continues, it becomes apparent that Sebastian is Viola's supposedly drowned brother and Antonio is the man who saved him from drowning.
However, Shakespeare does not provide this information directly but drops hints in Sebastian's words. He had a sister, he says, whom he believes to be drowned. That sister can be none other than Viola, yet the audience enjoys drawing that inference for themselves.
Sebastian and Antonio are both relatively flat characters at this point, for they have yet to develop their personalities fully and, at this stage, serve to increase the complexity of the deception Viola has begun. Sebastian's appearance at the Duke's court is bound to create confusion, for, as Sebastian notes, his sister is said to look just like him.
Indeed, Viola's deception is quickly moving beyond her control and taking on a life of its own. Olivia has now fallen in love with the "young man" she believes to be Cesario, and Viola now knows it. Viola's monologue in scene 2 reveals her overwhelmed confusion. "Fortune forbid my outside have not charm'd her," Viola exclaims.
Yet she suspects that this is true. She noticed that Olivia's "eyes had lost her tongue." This delightful expression means that Olivia was so busy looking at Cesario that she became speechless. While that is not true—for Olivia continues to speak throughout the encounter—it indicates that Viola has captivated Olivia.
Viola continues by wryly remarking that if she is the "man" Olivia has chosen to love, then "she were better to love a dream." At this point, Viola realizes how much harm her disguise will likely cause. The whole endeavor has moved far beyond Viola's intention of self-preservation and into the realm of "wickedness." Viola is faced with a tangled problem she needs help solving. Time will have to untangle that knot, for, as Viola remarks, she cannot.
In scene 3, Malvolio shows himself as the enemy of revelry in an incident that draws together four of the play's central themes: the revelry of the Twelfth Night, deception, love, and ambition. Sir Toby and Sir Andrew, joined by Feste, are up to their usual hijinks, drinking, singing, and carrying on loudly.
Malvolio scolds them sharply and threatens Sir Toby's expulsion from the household. He claims to do so on Olivia's orders, but this needs to be proven. Malvolio despises all revelry and would like nothing better than to get rid of Sir Toby and his companions. However, he fails to win this round of his ongoing battle against fun, and Malvolio stamps away, vowing to tell Olivia.
Maria, however, has a plan to put Malvolio in his place. She knows he is a social climber, always putting on airs and trying to present his "excellencies." He is nothing but a "time-pleaser," Maria proclaims, a self-centered sycophant who needs to be put back in his proper place.
The plan she devises will do just that. Her fake love letter from Olivia will reveal Malvolio as the fool he is and allow the revelers to take their revenge on him for trying to spoil all their fun. With the assistance of love and deception, revelry will win the day over ambition.
Expert Q&A
Can you provide a pun example from Twelfth Night in act 2, scenes 2 or 3?
In Act 2, Scene 3 of Twelfth Night, a pun example involves the Clown. When Sir Andrew requests a song starting with "Hold thy peace," the Clown retorts, "I shall never begin if I hold my peace," playing on the dual meaning of "hold thy peace" (to be silent). Another pun involves Sir Andrew and Feste on the word "catch," where Feste jokes about dogs catching, referring to fetch.
Why does Maria trick Malvolio in Twelfth Night?
In Twelfth Night, Maria wants to trick Malvolio to get revenge on him for being so arrogant and pompous.
What is the importance of the two songs in Act 2, Scene 3 of Twelfth Night?
The two songs in Act 2, Scene 3 of Twelfth Night highlight key themes and character emotions. The first song, sung by Feste, speaks of love, emphasizing the search for and the foolishness of love, reflecting Olivia and Orsino's romantic pursuits. The second song, a popular English ballad, captures the play's festive, comic spirit and is used wittily by Sir Toby and Feste to mock Malvolio.
How does Feste’s song in act 2, scene 3 foreshadow events and act as matchmaking in scene 4?
Feste’s song in act 2, scene 3 foreshadows the play’s happy romantic ending and encourages characters to embrace love immediately. The lyrics highlight themes of love, deception, and time, urging characters to seize present happiness. In act 2, scene 4, Feste’s song about unrequited love serves as matchmaking by advising characters to move on from unrequited love to avoid sorrow, pushing them towards a resolution.
In Twelfth Night, what is Malvolio's main conflict?
Malvolio's main conflict in "Twelfth Night" is with Sir Toby Belch, representing a clash between order and chaos. Malvolio embodies sobriety, seriousness, and duty, opposing the festive and excessive behavior of Sir Toby, who embraces the party spirit of the Twelfth Night festival. This tension highlights Malvolio's struggle against indulgence and his desire for control and propriety in contrast to the revelry around him.
Discuss the significance of the quote "Mistress Mary, if you prized my lady’s favor at anything more than contempt, you would not give means for this uncivil rule. She shall know of it, by this hand."
The quote highlights Malvolio's concern over Maria and the servants' unruly behavior, which he deems disrespectful to Olivia. Malvolio, often mocked by others, warns Maria that she should not participate in their antics, as Olivia would disapprove. This scene, set in Olivia's household, underscores the broader theme of love, showing it transcends social classes. It also contrasts Malvolio's seriousness with Sir Toby's disregard for propriety, adding depth to the play's comedic elements.
Can you provide a rhetorical analysis of Viola's soliloquy in act 2, scene 2 of Twelfth Night?
In Twelfth Night, was it wrong for Maria and Sir Toby to joke with Malvolio?
In "Twelfth Night," Maria and Sir Toby's joke on Malvolio was excessive and unjustified. Although Malvolio was conceited, the prank went too far, involving his employer, Olivia, and leading to his wrongful confinement for madness. Maria's actions stemmed from jealousy and dislike of Malvolio's self-assuredness and perceived excellence. While the prank added comedic value to the play, it ultimately escalated beyond a harmless joke, making it inappropriate and cruel.
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