Some basic form of egotism –vanity, self absorption, arrogance- is a basic
fault of many of the characters in this play. Select three characters in the
play, and for each, describe his or her particular form of egotism and how
it affects his or her actions, motivations and relations with others in the
play.
Malvolio,
Rude, arrogant
Orsino
Self absorbed –thinks highly of himself
Olivia
Vanity- she believes she can get anyone
How does egotism affect the actions of the characters in this play?
INTRO STATEMENT:
Egotism is defined as _______________________________________________
CREATE A THESIS
In Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night each of the characters who have great egos treat
others very disrespectfully.
CREATE A DIRECTION
Malvolio’s great ego causes him to be rude and arrogant with the other characters.
Orsino’s self absorption causes him to threaten other characters.
Olivia’s vanity causes her to be frequently discourteous with other characters.
1
GET 2 EXAMPLES FOR EACH DIRECTION POINT
Malvolio’s form of egotism is that he believes that he is better than everyone, which
causes him to be rude and arrogant. A perfect example of Malvolio’s rudeness is when he
is sent by Olivia to give Cesario his ring, and Malvolio chooses to throw the ring on the
ground rather than wait for Cesario’s explanation. QUOTE Malvolio’s ego causes him to
think that Cesario’s explanation is not worth his while. This is why he throws the ring on
the ground. Another example of Malvolio’s ego is evident when he is asked by Olivia
about what to do with Feste’s poor behaviour. Malvolio rants about how horrible Feste is
at his job of clowning and tells Olivia he can’t believe she keeps him employed. QUOTE
Malvolio’s ego causes him to tell Olivia, who is of a higher rank, what she should do
with her employee; his ego also causes him to judge Feste harshly, proving he is indeed
arrogant.
Not only is Malvolio arrogant, but Duke Orsino who is of a higher rank also
manages to use his arrogance in very disrespectful ways. One clear example of Orsino’s
self absorption occurs when he states that Olivia’s mourning of her father and brother is a
great indication of how well she will love him. Rather than sympathize with Olivia’s
situation, Orsino chooses to focus solely on himself and his esire fore her love, showing
his true disrespect and arrogance.
EXPLAIN
CONCLUDE
2
Love is a central aspect of this play. While
Orsino –forceful +desperate for love +obsessive
Malvolio –desperate, obsessive
Olivia – forceful, obsessive
all fall in love, they all react differently to being in love. Compare and contrast the
effects of being in love on each of these three characters. How does being in love
affect their actions, behaviour and interactions with other characters?
In Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night, unrequited love is a central aspect of the story.
CREATE A THESIS:
Being in love causes many characters to be blind to the reality of their individual
situations, resulting in their desperate actions.
CREATE A DIRECTION
Since Orsino is blind to the lack of love coming from Olivia, it causes him to be forceful
and obsessive about her love. Malvolio is also blind to the fact that Olivia will never love
him, and as a result, he is willing to act desperately and do anything to acquire her love.
Finally, Olivia’s refusal to see that Cesario will not love her causes her to become both
forceful and obsessive for his love.
GET 2 EXAMPLES FOR EACH DIRECTION POINT
Duke Orsino is blind to the fact that Olivia will not love him, causing him to be quite
forceful and obsessive. One example of this occurs when he tells Cesario that he is not to
leave Olivia’s gates until he is let in, regardless of the consequences. QUOTE. This
shows his refusal to accept Olivia’s lack of response as he has previously sent many of
his servants to her gate without success. Orsino continues to obsess about Olivia’s love,
despite her multiple refusals at his attempts. Perhaps the best example of Orsino’s
obsession is seen when he states that if he cannot have Olivia, nobody can and suggests
that he may kill her, or better yet, kill the object of her love, Cesario. QUOTE. This is a
clear example of both Orsino’s blindness and outright obsessiveness with Olivia and with
love in general.
EXPLAIN
CONCLUDE
3
Twelfth Night, the holiday after which the play is named, was celebrated as a
festival in which everything was turned topsy-turvy, with traditional social
roles and behavior temporarily suspended or reversed. Choose at least three
characters or instances where everything is turned upside down in Illyria and
explain: How are things similarly turned upside down in Illyria to the
festivities of a traditional “Twelfth Night” and what are the results of
this confusion?
Maria marries above her rank
Feste acts out of his rank
CREATE A THESIS
In Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night each of the main characters act outside of their rank or
expected character, causing mass confusion and showing the topsy-turvyness of a
traditional “Twelfth Night”
CREATE A DIRECTION
Malvolio acts out of character when he receives Maria’s letter, causing confusion
for both himself and Olivia; Viola who is rich has to act like a peasant boy,
causing mass confusion when Olivia falls in love with her. Also, Sir Toby acts
(and is treated like) a peasant, which results in mass confusion when Malvolio, of
a lower rank, begins to act as though he is in charge of Sir Toby.
GET 2 EXAMPLES FOR EACH DIRECTION POINT
EXPLAIN
CONCLUDE