Twelfth Night Quotes

Act 2 scene 1, line 3″My stars shine darkly over me. The malignancy of my fate might perhaps distemper yours.”Sebastian talking to Antonio In this quote, Sebastian wishes to leave because he is afraid that since his luck is pretty bad right now, and it might contaminate Antonio’s good fortune. People in Shakespeare’s time believe in fate that’s why Sebastian don’t want Antonio follow him
Act 2 scene 1, line 24-27″she bore a mind that envy could not but call fair. She is drowned already, sir, with salt water, though I seem to drown her remembrance again with more.” Sebastian talking to Antonio It means even those who were jealous of her admit that she has a beautiful mind. And even after a long times Sebastian still crying about his sister.
Act 2 Scene 1 Line 13-15″My name is Sebastian, which I called Roderigo. My father was that Sebastian of Messaline.”Sebastian talking to Antonio People in that time usually named their first borned child his father’s name. And Sebastian is telling Antonio a false name: Roderigo.
Act 2 Scene 2, Line 11-14″Come, sir, you peevishly threw it to her, and her will is it should be so returned. (he throws down the ring) If it be worth stooping for, there it lies in your eye. If not, be it his that finds it.”Mavolio talking to Cesario this quote shows Malvolio’s arrogant nature and his self – importance
“Fortune forbid my outside have not charmed her!” Viola’s appearance has attracted Olivia
“She made good view of me, indeed so muchThat sure methought her eyes had lost her tongue,For she did speak in starts distractedly.” Her fixed stare made her unable to speak and appear distracted
“She loves me, sure! The cunning of her passionInvites me in this churlish messenger.” Olivia’s attraction for Cesario has made her crafty
“None of my lord’s ring? Why, he sent her none.I am the man. If it be so, as ’tis,Poor lady, she were better love a dream.” She does not have my lord’s ring because he did nor send her one. I am the one she loves but if this is me she would be better of loving a girl
“Disguise, I see thou art a wickedness,Wherein the pregnant enemy does much.” The devil uses such disguises in this vicked practices
“Act 2 Scene1, Line 39-42I have many enemies in Orsino’s court, Else would I very shortly see thee there. But，come what may, I do adore thee so That danger shall seem sport, and I will go” This quote show the effection Antonio has to Sebastian. And their brotherly love.
“Act 2 scene 3” Feste the fool says “We three”. We three is the painting of two fools (or asses) inscribed “we three”, the spectator being the third fool. Feste the fool is a professional fool, Sir Andrew is a natural fool, and Sir Toby is a drunken fool.
Love Brotherly love of Sebastian and Antoniodeep non-sexual feelingsSimilar to friendshipTrust and concern for other person’s well being
Consanguineous con = by/with sanguine = blood ous = our/usrelated with blood
Motley The clothes Feste is wearing
“act 2, scene 3” Sir Toby reminds Malvolio of his inferior position as a steward by telling him to “go rub your chain with crumbs.” They plan for a revenge on Malvolio by dropping a love letter. Maria has a indistinguishable handwriting similar to Olivia’s. Maria understands Malvolio’s greatest weakness (vice) is his self-love, or self-importance. Also, Malvolio is stupid because he thinks anyone looks upon him loves him
Act 2 Scene 3 sir toby refers maria as “Penthesilea”, his little villain, his metal of India, a good wench, a beagle, true-bred, and one that adores him. These terms seems to be genuine and impulsive terms of endearment (words of affection) which imply that sir toby is fond of maria (likes her)
Act 2 scene 4, line 37-38″For women are as roses, whose fair flower / Being once displayed, doth fall that very hour.” This quote is saying that Orsino belives that the moment women’s beauty is in full bloom, it’s about to decay. And it’s a example of simile. And this quote is telling audience that Orisino marry a women by their look. Viola does not approve of Orsino’s somewhat cynical view of woman.
Act 2 scene 4, line 107-112″She never told her love, / But let concealment, like a worm i’ the bud, / Feed on her damask cheek. She pined in thought, / And with a green and yellow melancholy / She sat like patience on a monument, / Smiling at grief.” In this quote, Viola is talking about herself but lying to Orsino saying that she’s one of her father’s daughter. Viola is describing her as a flower. She is beautiful on the outside, but inside her mind is depressed. It kinda means she is keeping her love bottled up inside her until it destroyed her, ruining her beauty. This is a example of dramatic irony. “Patience on a monument refers to a statue of allegonial figure of patience. Viola contrasts her own passion (love) with the self-indulgent and grandiose lovesickness from which Orsino claims to suffer. Viola thinks that Orsino should be calmer since Orsino is too impatient”
Act 2 Scene 3 Lines 111″Go shake your ears!” Maria was calling Malvolio a donkey in this part
IMPORTANT Act 2 scene 4, between line 90-100Orsino claims that women could not have a feeling as deep as the love he has for Olivia, which is like the ocean. However, Viola/Cesario attempts to persuade him (line 102-106) that women are “as true of heart” as men. this is also a DRAMATIC IRONY because the audience knows that Viola, poor monster, is confessing her love to Orsino for him. Plus, Orsino doesn’t know about Cesario’s true identity: Viola
Weird love triangle Orsino is consumed by his love towards Olivia; Olivia is torn by her love toward her brother, and she also loves Cesario who is Viola; Malvolio is thwarted by his love for himself; and last, Viola is conflicted by her love towards Orsino, her master
The Fortunate Unhappy it means that Olivia has everything she need: beauty, wealth, status, and wit (cleverness, smart) but she is “unhappy” because she is sick of love towards Malvolio
act 2 scene 5, line 126-129″In my stars I am above thee, but be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ’em.” Some are born great is Olivia’s case cause she already had wealth, beauty, and status when she was born. Some achieve greatness is saying that someone works hard and becomes great. At last, some have greatness thrust upon ’em is Malvolio’s case, which means he has fate (luck) because Olivia loves malvolio so he can be great too as Count Malvolio. These are false because Maria had made up this letter.
July 25, 2019