Act 1 Scene 3

Question 1

QUOTES

“I am sure..”

Answer 1

“I am sure care’s an enemy to life.”

Question 2

QUOTES

“you must confine…”

Answer 2

“you must confine yourself within the modest limits of order”

Question 3

QUOTES

“I delight in…”

Answer 3

“I delight in masques and revels sometimes altogether”

Question 4

QUOTES

“Shall we…”

Answer 4

QUOTES

“Shall we set about some revels?”

Question 5

How is Sir Toby characterised by excess?

Answer 5

1. he rebuts and ignores Maria’s sensible remark about self-constraint (“you must confine yourself”)
2. one of the only characters in the play that is devoted to self-gratification without much thought of others
3. motivations are fleshly ones
4. can be seen as part of the plays comic festive, merry-making atmosphere as he loves to drink and eat

Question 6

How are Sir Toby and Sir Andrew presented as an almost comic double act?

Answer 6

1. Toby is aware of his selfishness and recklessness while Andrew seems to be completely naive and a ‘very fool’ as he is taken advantage of for his wealthy by Toby
2. fat man/thin man
3. an earthy contrast to the elevated emotions and expressions of the two noble households of Orsino and Olivia
4. most of Sir Toby’s bawdy banter are lost on Sir Andrew, adding to the audience’s enjoyment

Question 7

How does Scene 3 provide another contrast in characters and language?

Answer 7

It is in prose rather than blank verse

The word play is of a bantering, bawdy style

Question 8

Give some examples of ‘bawdy banter’.

Answer 8

e.g. Andrew asks if his hairs suits him, Toby replies with a sexual reference “Excellent; it hangs like a flax on a distaff, and I hope to see a huswife take thee between her legs and spin it off”
This is a reference to prostitution and venereal disease (thought to cause baldness)

Question 9

How does Shakespeare use Sir Toby and Sir Andrew’s names as a comic function?

Answer 9

Sir Toby Belch: obvious link to the rowdy, festive life he lives
Sir Andrew Aguecheek: ague (‘a fever’) and cheek (‘the face or buttocks’)
This is to announce character traits and comic function.

Question 10

Summarise the events of Scene 3.

Answer 10

• Sir Toby Belch, uncle to Olivia, complains to her attendant Maria about his niece’e behaviour
• Maria advises him to constrain himself
• They discuss Sir Andrew Aguecheek, who is trying to woo Olivia
• When Aguecheek appears his vanity and literal-mindedness are made the butt of others’ bawdiness and quick wits
• Sir Toby needs Sir Andrew’s money and so encourages him in his lobe for Olivia and in the idea that he is an excellent dancer
• They leave with Sir Andrew capering to Sir Toby’s demand