act 2 scenes 4 and 5
What warning does the Duke give “Cesario” about love (II.iv.16-22)?
How does Viola hint to the Duke about her real feelings/identity (II.iv.29-33)?
What does Orsino admit about men and love (II.iv.37-40 and 44-45)?
What view of love is suggested by the Fool’s song (II.iv.58-73)?
What does Orsino say about woman’s love (II.iv.103-113)?
Does this contradict what he said in question #3? Why or why not?
How does Viola again hint about who she really is (II.iv.116-120 and 132-134)?
If Viola is in love with Orsino and Orsino is in love with Olivia, what does this say about love? About why people fall in love or how love affects people or how men or women love?
What does Maria tell the others to do (II.v.14-21)?
What is suggested by Malvolio’s statement “’Tis but fortune, all is fortune”?
About what is Malvolio daydreaming before he picks up the letter (II.v.22-27 and 44-80)?
How does Malvolio talk himself into believing the letter is for him (II.v.92-146)?
What does Maria tell Malvolio to do in the letter (II.v.153-162)?
Why will these things make him look stupid (II.v.201-209)?
What does Malvolio’s subplot add to the play’s ideas about love?
How are those in the audience implicated or part of the prank?
Write a freewrite on the following questions: The sentence from Maria’s trick letter, “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ‘em” is a famous one that is often taken out of context. What do you think of that statement? Do you believe that there is more than one path to be greatness? Why or why not
In Act 2 Scene 4, the Duke warns "Cesario" about the dangers of love. He tells him that love is a "plague" and it can make even the most rational person act foolishly. He advises "Cesario" to be cautious in love and to guard his heart against its whims and fancies.
Viola hints to the Duke about her real feelings and identity when she tells him that if she were a woman, she would love him. This shows that Viola, disguised as Cesario, has developed romantic feelings for the Duke and is subtly expressing them.
Orsino admits that men are fickle and changeable when it comes to love. He believes that men are easily swayed and often fall in and out of love quickly. He also acknowledges that he himself is not immune to these fluctuations in emotions.
The Fool's song suggests a cynical view of love. The song implies that love is fickle and deceptive, leading people to make foolish choices and suffer heartache. It portrays love as a game in which everyone eventually becomes a fool.
Orsino states that women's love is inconstant and prone to change. He believes that women are capricious in their affections and can easily transfer their love from one person to another. This contradicts his earlier admission about men and love, as he seems to believe that women are even more unpredictable in matters of the heart.
Viola hints about her true identity when she tells the Duke that it is "wise to send her back", referring to herself as a woman. She also mentions that her "father had a daughter loved a man," subtly implying that she herself is that daughter.
The fact that Viola is in love with Orsino while Orsino is in love with Olivia suggests that love can be complicated and unpredictable. It shows that people can fall in love with someone who does not reciprocate their feelings, leading to a tangled web of emotions.
Maria tells the others to play a prank on Malvolio. She suggests that they write a letter pretending to be Olivia, expressing her love for him and instructing him to do certain things to prove his love for her.
Malvolio's statement "’Tis but fortune, all is fortune" suggests that he believes everything that happens is simply a matter of luck or fate. He does not take responsibility for his own actions or decisions, instead attributing everything to external forces beyond his control.
Malvolio is daydreaming about being wealthy and powerful. He imagines himself dressing extravagantly and bossing everyone around, believing that these fantasies will come true if he follows the instructions in the letter.
Malvolio talks himself into believing the letter is for him by interpreting the instructions in a way that confirms his desires and aspirations. He convinces himself that Olivia is in love with him and wants him to be with her, even though there are clear signs that the letter is a prank.
Maria tells Malvolio to behave eccentrically and engage in absurd behavior, such as wearing yellow stockings, smiling constantly, and speaking pompously. These things will make him look foolish and ridiculous in front of Olivia and the rest of the household.
Malvolio's subplot adds to the play's ideas about love by showing the foolishness and absurdity that love can cause people to exhibit. It portrays love as a force that can make people act in irrational and foolish ways, leading to comedic situations.
The audience is implicated in the prank because they are aware of the deception and the true intentions behind the letter. They become accomplices in the prank, witnessing and enjoying the comic consequences of the trick played on Malvolio.
The statement "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em" suggests that there are different paths to achieve greatness. It implies that some people are destined for greatness from birth, others work hard to achieve it, and some have greatness unexpectedly thrust upon them. I believe that this statement is true because there are different circumstances and opportunities that can lead to greatness, and it is not solely determined by one's birth or efforts.