Twelfth Night
Troupe Discussion Section Act 1
Scene #1
Summary
The scene opens with Duke Orsino, hopelessly in love with the beautiful Lady Olivia. He refuses to do anything and commands his servants to entertain him while he pines away for her. His servant Valentine reminds him that Olivia does not return Orsino’s affections and she refuses to hear the messages he sends her. From Valentine, we discover that Olivia is mourning her dead brother. She wears a dark veil and swears that no one will see her face nor will she marry for at least seven years. Her vow to stay chaste entices Orsino more. He sulks and pouts, desiring only to lie about while dreaming of his love.
Section 1
· Discussion Points (Complete asa group and record your answers on the sheet provided):
Characterization of Orsino:
· (Line 1)If music be the food of love, play on, / Give me excess of it
Question 1.-How does this quote from Orsino’s opening lines introduce the plot conflict and Orsino’s mood?
· (Lines 14-15)So full of shapes is fancy / That it alone is high fantastical
This introduces that romantic love and notion so often is a product of the lover’s imagination. Fantasy or what is “fantastical or capricious” is a major theme of the play.
Question 2-We’ve known Orsino for about three minutes now; what can we tell about him already? Give me at least three things.
Characterization of Olivia:
· Valentine’s message to Orsino-(Lines 25-33) Read it before answering the question!
Through Valentine, we learn Olivia’s plight and chosen mourning method.
Question 1- How does Olivia’s vow of chastity conflict with what we’ve already discussed about the focus of comedy in Shakespeare’s time? (If the focus of comedy is love, marriage, and continuation of community, a young, beautiful, fertile woman like Olivia should be falling in love and having babies, not wasting her most (re)productive years!)
Section 2- Themes presented:
Ideas of Marriage and Levels of Love
Question 1- How is this theme (ideas of love and marriage) reinforced by the idea that Orsino’s romantic love for Olivia who does not love him in return is impulsive?
Group Journal Response #1:
1.Within the language of the play, how does Shakespeare immediately introduce the audience to Orsino’s identity and role through his dialogue and actions? In your response you must provide a minimum of five words to describe Orsino and 5 quotes within the scene to support you answer.
Twelfth Night
Troupe Discussion Section Act 1
Scene 2
Summary
In this scene, Viola and a shipwrecked crew pull themselves out of the sea onto the shore of Illyria. Viola’s brother Sebastian is not with them and she fears he has drowned. The captain tries to console her that there is a chance he survived, but Viola seems to have little hope. Viola must find a way to support herself in this new land. The captain is a native of these lands and explains that Duke Orsino rules Illyria. Viola knows of him and instantly recalls that his marital status as a bachelor. The captain confirms that he is still unmarried, yet he also informs her that the Duke is unsuccessfully courting Lady Olivia who is mourning her dead brother. This similar situation spurs Viola to want to be a servant in Olivia’s house so that she too can hide away from the world to mourn her brother. The captain replies that it would be unlikely Viola would be welcomed into the household. Viola then determines that she will disguise herself as a man and gain a position in Orsino’s household instead. She promises to pay the captain handsomely if he helps her complete her plan.
Section #1
· Discussion Points (complete as a group and record your answers on the sheet provided)
· Characterization of Viola:
From the opening of the scene the audience can question Viola’s character because:
Her immediate lack of concern that her brother may have survived (note how little she actually mourns)
Her first reaction to hide
Her response to attach herself to a man, particularly one she knows to be an attractive bachelor
Her quick decision to disguise herself as a man to negate that she is a woman alone
Question 1-How do these qualities introduce us to Viola’s daring character?
· (Line 35) What's she?(Viola asking about Olivia)
Question #2-How is this an interesting way to phrase the question? What does this say about Viola and her opinion of other women?
Section 2-Themes
A.Willing Suspension of Disbelief for the Moment-this is the “agreement between the audience and the performers that the audience will accept and believe what is occurring on stage no matter how unbelievable it is.
Question #1- What has already occurred on stage that is “unbelievable” but the audience will accept it?
Question #2-How are these “unbelievable events” important to keep the play progressing?
B. Potential for Tragedy Within a Comedy
Discuss what you would consider the elements of a tragedy and how the characters in Twelfth Night could be set up for a potential tragedy. Give me a min. of 3 things!
Group Journal #2:
1. Shakespeare often disguises one gender as another in his plays. The audiences of past and present believe this to be silly or ludicrous, but yet go along with it to serve the purpose of the plot. How does this cross-dressing add complexity and add humor to the performance? What modern examples do we see used in literature and film?
Twelfth Night
Troupe Discussion Section Act 1
Scene 3
Summary
Sir Toby, Olivia’s uncle, and Maria, Olivia’s servant, enter the scene at her lady’s house. Sir Toby is often lewd and crude—but funny— due to his overindulgence in alcohol. Maria warns him that Olivia is quite displeased with his staying out late at night and his overindulgences, but Toby does not take it to heart. Maria also criticizes Toby for bringing his foolish friend, Sir Andrew Aguecheek to woo Olivia. Again Toby balks, saying that Andrew is a fine match for his niece, for he is handsome and rich. Maria does not approve, saying that Andrew is just one of Toby’s drinking companions. It soon becomes clear that Toby’s relationship with Andrew is based purely on Andrew’s available, free-flowing cash, and perhaps also because Toby is entertained by Andrew’s stupidity.
Sir Andrew enters the scene. He proves himself to be a bumbling fool when he can’t seem to get Maria’s name right. She exits. Sir Toby and Sir Andrew continue the scene by joking around when Andrew brings up the fact that Olivia does not seem to be impressed by his courting. Andrew plans to leave the next morning and surmises that Olivia will probably end up with Orsino. Toby disagrees and convinces Andrew that he should stay one month longer. He also compliments Andrew’s dancing skills and convinces him to perform to close out the scene.
Section 1
· Discussion Points:
Characterization of Sir Toby Belch:
· Toby comes into the scene tipsy and boisterous. He tries to represent himself as an uncle with his niece’s good virtue in mind; yet as the scene progresses, it is Toby’s selfish misjudgment that clearly comes across.
Characterization of Maria:
· Maria enters the scene chastising Toby and his late night debacles, saying that they distress her mistress so. This establishes Maria’s loyalty to Olivia, and her bawdy nature demonstrates that she is Toby’s equal in wit. Her wit is further illustrated throughout the scene with playful comments and references to her anatomy as the “buttery bar.”
Characterization of Sir Andrew Aguecheek:
· Sir Andrew is represented as quite the fool with his misuse of Maria’s name and his play on the word “accost.” His musings with Toby and his dancing antics establish him as a fool or buffoon.
Question 1: What are the boundaries of decorum? How appropriate is Sir Toby’s behavior in Olivia’s house, especially considering that it is a house of mourning? In your answer find two or more quotes from the scene that demonstrate your argument.
Group Journal Prompts:
1. Humor and comedy often lies in what is considered to be socially vulgar or inappropriate. How does Shakespeare use “off-color” comments to evoke laughter from the audience. Additionally, what physical actions would the actors use to help elicit this same response?
Twelfth Night
Troupe Discussion Section Act 1
Scene 4
Summary
Enter Valentine and Viola dressed in man’s attire and named “Cesario.” Cesario has served for three days in Orsino’s household and is already considered to be a favorite of the Duke’s. The Duke enters to tell Cesario of a very important errand he must run for the Duke. Orsino hopes that Olivia will so like the young, attractive messenger that she will be more agreeable to his entreaty. The Duke wants Cesario, Viola in disguise, to act his woes (Line 26) in trying to impress and attract Olivia. Hesitantly, Cesario agrees to complete the Duke’s request. Cesario’s last line of the scene foreshadows an impending love triangle: Yet a barful strife! / Whoe’er I woo, myself would be his wife (Lines 41-42).
Section 1
· Discussion Points:
Characterization of Orsino:
· Orsino and Cesario’s relationship is quite developed after three days. Valentine reassures Cesario that the Duke is constant in his favors (Line 7) and that If the Duke continues these favors towards you, Cesario, you are like to be much advanced. This opinion of the Duke’s loyalty comes into question as the play progresses. The suggestion of “advancement” is questionable as well.
Aside: (Line 42) Whoe’er I woo, myself would be his wife.
Question 1- Here is a line that ends the scene with a cliffhanger. It foreshadows that there are unforeseen problems yet to be added to this already complicated plot. What could it be foreshadowing?
· Mythological reference to Diana's lip (Line35)
Question 2-Orsino affectionately and passionately describes Cesario’s physical features, which appeals to Viola’s secret love, but creates a very awkward moment on the stage Why is it awkward?
· Group Journal 3:
Shakespeare’s comedies often rely on foiled expectations and mistaken, unexpected love to develop the story. Predict how things could go wrong within the structure of the elements of plot so far. What might happen between Orsino and Olivia? Olivia and Cesario? Orsino and Cesario/Viola?
Twelfth Night
Troupe Discussion Section Act 1
Scene 5
Summary
Feste (or the Clown) is introduced in this scene in his conversation with Maria at Olivia’s home. Maria is chastising Feste for being gone so long and not telling anyone where he went. Feste refuses to give her any information about his whereabouts. Lady Olivia and Malvolio enter. Olivia is not pleased to see Feste and orders that he be removed from the house. Feste is able to lighten Olivia’s mourning mood. Malvolio on the other hand is not impressed. He thinks Feste is useless and bothersome. Olivia reproves Malvolio for being so serious and distempered. Maria arrives with news that there is a young man at the house gate to see Olivia. (It is Viola dressed as Cesario delivering the message from Orsino.) Olivia sends Malvolio out to see what this man wants. Sir Toby comes stumbling in obviously intoxicated. Olivia reproves Toby for drinking and sends Feste off to take care of him. Malvolio returns from speaking with the young man, telling Olivia that he refuses to leave. Olivia is curious about this man and asks Malvolio what he looks like. Malvolio tells her that the man is youthful and good looking. Olivia is curious to see him and allows him to enter. She calls for Maria to bring her a veil to cover her face for remember she is supposedly still in mourning over her brother’s death. Viola, dressed as Cesario, enters and begins to recite Orsiono’s speech from memory. Olivia removers her veil and asks the young man if he thinks she is pretty. Cesario compliments her beauty. Olivia turns the questions to Cesario and seems to be much more interested in him than the Duke. Olivia sends Cesario back to Orsino with the news that she does not love him and never will. Yet, she invites Cesario to return. When Cesario leaves, Olivia calls for Malvolio asking him to chase after Cesario and give him a ring, pretending that he left it behind but meaning it as a token of her affection. Olivia finds herself hopelessly in love with Cesario.
Section 1
· Group Discussion Points:
1. Feste is titled the “clown” in this play, but is he really the fool? What “foolish” characteristics does each of the characters possess? In Line 56, Feste asks to prove to Olivia that she is also “foolish.”
2. In Lines 9 and 20, Shakespeare establishes time by referring to Lenten and let summer bear it out. This use of Spring presents the idea of “new life” and “new possibilities.” For these characters, it is almost a “mating season.” Where can you find more examples of “mating” so far in the play?
3. Feste says, Better a witty fool than a foolish wit (Line 35) What could he mean by this?
4. It is important for Viola to see Olivia’s face. Why? What does this suggest about Viola and her feelings towards Orsino?
Group Journal Prompts:
1. In Line 69, Feste tells Olivia The more fool, Madonna, to mourn for your brother’s soul, being in heaven. Take away the fool, gentlemen. Which person should be taken away? Who is foolish, sensible, and why? What point is he trying to make?