QUERY FOR DISCUSSION
Is the Duke important chiefly as the inspirer of Viola's devoted love?
IV
VIOLA AND OLIVIA
In what respects are the situations of Viola and Olivia alike? When the play opens, both are mourning the loss of a brother, and while this is made to point out the individuality of Olivia, after the first few lines we hear little more of Viola's grief. Can you suggest any reason for this? Does Viola's love for the Duke absorb her any more than Olivia's love absorbs her when she comes to feel the same? Viola and Olivia are also alike in giving their love without solicitation; but Olivia woos directly, Viola, in disguise, implies her love, and though her innuendoes are all understood by the audience, they are unappreciated by the Duke. What justification can be made for the unblushing love-making of Olivia? It could be justified by her rank, which was so much higher than that of the supposed page that advances should come from her. What signs are there that Viola's love was superior to Olivia's? Olivia's seems to have been founded on external liking, else she would not have been as satisfied with Sebastian as with Cesario; while Viola's, though it may have had no deeper foundation, was signalized by unselfishness, for she used every eloquent art of which she was capable to urge her master's suit. Notice in the first scene between Viola and the Duke how she tries to get out of going to Olivia, doubting her own ability, etc. Do you think she really doubted it, or that it was difficult for her on account of her own love for the Duke? Notice in the scene with Olivia her woman's anxiety to see her rival's face. What do you think instigated her remark, 'Excellently done, if God did all.' Was it a sudden touch of jealousy? It was clearly not the proper thing for an ambassador pressing his master's suit to say. How is it with the rest of the interview? Is her sarcastic tone judicious? Does it pique the nonchalant Olivia? Does her eloquence later, when she is assured of Olivia's obstinacy, reflect her own feelings for the Duke? What effect does it have on Olivia? Is it well-calculated to arouse her interest? In Act II. scene iv., which do you think had the right conception of woman's love,—the Duke or Cesario? What do you think of Olivia's saying that 'Love sought is good, but given unsought is better'? Which of the two characters show the more humor? Notice Viola's readiness in parrying questions that trench upon her sex. Olivia, on the other hand, can hold her own in a bout of wit with the fool, but she is perhaps not so quick-witted as Viola. We can imagine Viola at once seeing through Malvolio's attempt at pleasing Olivia, instead of taking him for mad, as Olivia did.
QUERY FOR DISCUSSION
Which is the best lover, the Duke, Sebastian, Olivia, or Viola?
V
SIR TOBY AND MARIA, AND THEIR BUTTS OR DUPES
Show how the droll situations of the play are mainly contrived by some of the characters in order to make others their laughing-stocks. Who are Sir Toby's butts? Is Sir Toby attached to Sir Andrew, or does he only make use of him for profit as well as fun? (See Sir Toby's reply to Fabian (III. iii.)). Other instances to the same effect? Why does Maria join forces with Sir Toby? Is she in fact the leader of the scheme, or is Fabian's story of its origin true? What part does the fool play in the game, and why? Note his private grudge against Malvolio. Is it a dramatic mistake that even the heroine is made the butt of these merry-makers? Trace Fabian's part in the duelling plot against Sir Andrew and Viola. Do these plots recoil in any way against the plotters? Sir Toby and Sir Andrew both get some home-truths from Malvolio while they are eavesdropping, while for Fabian and Maria these thrusts of Malvolio's are just as good fun as that which the knights enjoy better. How does some of the later fun recoil against Toby and Sir Andrew? Are the Puritans made fun of in Malvolio's person?