Twelfth Night Directing Malvolio in Act 2 Scene 3 Essay Example
In the set scenes we see Malvolio acting in a very arrogant and self-important way towards Feste, Maria, Sir Toby and Sir Andrew. This makes them decide to play a trick on him to teach him a lesson. When Malvolio arrives, Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Feste are up late at night singing, dancing and drinking. Maria comes to tell them to be quiet, but does not seem very angry. Malvolio's attitude is completely different. He asks if they are "mad" and says: "Have ye no wit, manners, nor honesty, but to gabble like tinkers at this time of night? "
I would direct him to burst in looking dishevelled and furious, but speak in a stage whisper, emphasising the insult "tinker". Instead of letting the others defend themselves, Malvolio then c
...ontinues in his tirade. He accuses Sir Toby of turning Olivia's house into "an alehouse". He calls her "my lady", as if they have some special bond, and accuses the others of having: "no respect of place, persons, nor time. " I would direct him to change his tone slightly, sounding self-important and smug. He should have a sneer in his voice and a very superior expression.
It is clear from the way Sir Toby reacts that he doesn't take Malvolio very seriously, so Malvolio now tries to threaten him. He says that Olivia has given him a message to pass on: "though she harbours you as her kinsman, she's nothing allied to your disorders. " He continues by saying that unless Sir Toby mends his ways, Olivia will ask him to leave the house. I would direct Malvolio to
smile when Sir Toby makes fun of him, and then speak in a clear, deliberate way so everyone can hear. He should use a sarcastic tone of voice, as though he is speaking to a naughty child. Now Sir Toby seems really angry.
Firstly, he and Feste sing a song making fun of Malvolio, but then Sir Toby turns on him. He says: "Out o' tune, sir: ye lie. Art any more than a steward? " Then he tells Malvolio to "rub [his] chin with crumbs". I would direct Malvolio to look angry at being insulted, but to raise his chin and act as if he doesn't care at all - this is just what he expected from Sir Toby. He should give the impression he knows he's right and that Olivia will back him up. Finally, Malvolio seems to sense that he will not get the respectful response he wants from Sir Toby, but he doesn't say anything to Sir Toby.
Instead, he turns on Maria, his fellow servant, and blames her, too. It's as if he wants them all to feel as bad as possible in order to makes himself feel even more superior. He tells her: "if you prized my lady's favour at any thing more than contempt, you would not give means for this uncivil rule. " Then he tells her he will be telling Olivia what has been going on, before exiting. I would direct him to use a bitter, cutting voice which shows he is insulted by their attitudes. He should emphasise the word "you" and "contempt" to make Maria feel guilty, and should turns dramatically on
his heel before stalking off in a huff.
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