Malvolio Act 3 Scene 1
I have done theatre before, but this performance pulled me from my comfort zone, since I was playing a role I never had before (typically I was cast in happy, bubbly roles). I also had never memorized such formal lines, so there were some that were not easy to speak at the start. “What shall you ask of me that I’ll deny? / That honor saved may upon asking give?” (3.4.188-189). Those lines, particularly the second one, are difficult to get through because the words are not arranged the way English is spoken now, so they do not naturally flow. After practicing them often, the words felt less clunky over time. Something else I realized the longer I looked over the scene my group used, is how cruel the trick on Malvolio really is. It was easy
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Our portion of Act 3 Scene 4 that we performed has many distinct character interactions and themes. The start of our scene consists of Sir Toby, Fabian, and Maria tricking Malvolio. They repeatedly mention the devil and treat Malvolio like he is possessed so Malvolio will think he has gone mad. “Pray God he be not bewitched!” and “defy the devil! / consider, he’s an enemy to mankind” are examples of their deception (3.4.93 & 3.4.89-90). They anger Malvolio and he leaves, but not before saying something ominous; something someone who is possessed might say: “you are idle shallow things: I am not of your element” (3.4.113-114). Toby, Fabian, and Maria revel in how successful their plans have been. Sir Andrew enters with his challenge against Cesario, and Toby reads it. He and Fabian humor his nonsensical challenge, and after Andrew leaves, Toby decides to deliver the challenge himself. Olivia and Viola/Cesario come into the scene, and Olivia laments how her pursuit for Cesario is not succeeding, but continues to try in the same breath. She does not make any progress despite securing another visit the next day, and says dramatically, “A fiend like thee might bear my soul to hell” (3.4.195) Fabian and Toby get there chance to deliver Andrew’s challenge. Andrew’s letter would not have scared Cesario/Viola as much as Toby and Fabian’s description of Andrew does. Fabian tells Viola/Cesario, “he is…the most
Our portion of Act 3 Scene 4 that we performed has many distinct character interactions and themes. The start of our scene consists of Sir Toby, Fabian, and Maria tricking Malvolio. They repeatedly mention the devil and treat Malvolio like he is possessed so Malvolio will think he has gone mad. “Pray God he be not bewitched!” and “defy the devil! / consider, he’s an enemy to mankind” are examples of their deception (3.4.93 & 3.4.89-90). They anger Malvolio and he leaves, but not before saying something ominous; something someone who is possessed might say: “you are idle shallow things: I am not of your element” (3.4.113-114). Toby, Fabian, and Maria revel in how successful their plans have been. Sir Andrew enters with his challenge against Cesario, and Toby reads it. He and Fabian humor his nonsensical challenge, and after Andrew leaves, Toby decides to deliver the challenge himself. Olivia and Viola/Cesario come into the scene, and Olivia laments how her pursuit for Cesario is not succeeding, but continues to try in the same breath. She does not make any progress despite securing another visit the next day, and says dramatically, “A fiend like thee might bear my soul to hell” (3.4.195) Fabian and Toby get there chance to deliver Andrew’s challenge. Andrew’s letter would not have scared Cesario/Viola as much as Toby and Fabian’s description of Andrew does. Fabian tells Viola/Cesario, “he is…the most