Act 3 Scene 4 By Logan Andrew Conlan

Act 3, Scene 4 By: Logan, Andrew, Conlan, Alex

Summary • • Malvolio thinks the letter he received written by Toby, Maria, and Andrew is from Olivia He follows the strange advice in the letter and Olivia thinks he has gone mad Toby and Co. take the opportunity to make fun of Malvolio and lock him up Meanwhile, Olivia expresses her desire for Viola in disguise, while rejecting Orsino

Summary • • • Sir Toby decides to instigate a fight between Viola and Sir Andrew He exaggerates the ferocity of Sir Andrew There is no fight Antonio mistakes Viola for Sebastian and when Viola doesn't acknowledge that she knows him, he is deeply troubled Antonio is then arrested

Important Developments • • • Malvolio becomes so overcome by his delusions of Olivia being in love with him that he ignores clear signs that he is being fooled such as Olivia's reaction to him. Maria's letter sets up Malvolio perfectly to be deemed mad and be harassed by the other characters without anger from Olivia. Despite being set up as a somewhat annoying character, the treatment of Malvolio seems to be exceedingly cruel. Why do you believe Shakespeare chose to have Maria and Toby torture Malvolio for, at most, being full of himself and having delusions of grandeur?

Important Developments • • Olivia continues to pursue Viola, while Viola continues to try and get Olivia to love Orsino. What do you believe is the real nature of Olivia's interest in Viola? Does she really love her? Toby continues to try and create a fight between Viola and Andrew, and continues to show contempt for Andrew. This puts into question why Toby spends time with Andrew and if he truly cares about his niece's love life.

More Developments • Antonio becomes very upset in response to Viola, who he believes is Sebastian, claiming not to know him. Despite being a misunderstanding, Antonio is in very much anguish about being tricked and is imprisoned. What do you think the purpose of this scene is?

Essential Question • • Is it possible for people to change? When and why might it be wanted? In this act several characters try and change themselves for a variety of reasons. Malvolio attempts change in a way that he believes will make Olivia love him. The direct reason he makes this change is because he believes he deserves the power that he could achieve. Tony and Maria want Malvolio to change because they wanted to punish him for the way he acted. By using the letter they manage to change Malvolio by making him more deluded and arrogant than ever.

Essential Question • Olivia continues to try and change Viola and convince her to fall in love. She wants Viola to love her because that's what she believes would create a perfect situation. Is it possible to change people if they aren't willing to change?

Back to the text ANTONIO But oh, how vile an idol proves this god! Thou hast, Sebastian, done good feature shame. In nature there’s no blemish but the mind. None can be called deformed but the unkind. Virtue is beauty, but the beauteous evil Are empty trunks o'erflourished by the devil. Act 3 Scene 4 Line 331 • • • How terrible you have proven to be It doesn't matter if you look good The only actual flaws in humans are those that are on the inside You're only evil or ugly if you're evil or ugly on the inside There is nothing more to you than a beautiful shell of an empty person § § Viola changes the views of Sebastian It takes a little more than a shift in outward actions and appearances. § EQ: Is it possible for people to change? When and why might it be wanted?

Puritans MALVOLIO I should have a serious face and dignified demeanor, well-modulated speech, acting like a distinguished gentleman and so on. I’ve got her now, but I’ve got God to thank for it! And when she left just now, she said “Take care of this poor fellow here. ” Fellow!” Not “Malvolio, ” not anything referring to my low station in life, but “fellow. ” Everything’s going perfectly. Not the tiniest ounce, not the littlest insignificant amount of trouble or bad luck could ruin it—what can I say? Nothing can come between me and the fulfillment of all my hopes. Well, God is responsible for that, not me, and he deserves thanks. Act 3 Scene 4 Line 59

Puritans Malvolio is not necessarily a Puritan but is associated with the group Puritans were opposed to theatre and merrymaking Shakespeare disliked their motives and beliefs Seeked to question them in Malvolio's character

Satire Malvolio prides himself in his level-headedness and his tendency to follow rules, yet he is shut away for being a mad man He gives credit for all of his actions to God, even if they are mad or ill-advised Horatian Satire, obviously evokes a smile, amused attitude towards Malvolio's character It is ironic because Maria and the others didn't expect Malvolio to get this crazy

Character Development • • • Maria Goes from by-the-book housemaid to devious plotter Seems to dislike the self-righteous attitude of Malvolio. To the point of siding with Toby and Andrew who she saw as fools Is it possible for a person to change? Why did Maria change?

Character Development • • Malvolio goes from a pompous man with some delusions to a very delusional man who is extremely full of himself. He also becomes a somewhat more sympathetic character as he is tortured by Maria and Tony.

Character Development • • Toby continues to show a lack of dedication for those he calls friends. This is especially clear with Andrew who he deceives and clearly has disdain for. Andrew shows even more his foolishness and willingness to go along with what others prompt him to do, especially in being prompted to duel Viola.

Malvolio

Class Activity We went over what we believe that Shakespeare was trying to reveal through the character of Malvolio. Choose one other character and write a short paragraph about what you believe Shakespeare was trying to reveal through that character. It will be graded on completion, but make sure you have a clear thesis and good evidence from the book.