Quotes (Twelfth Night)

This section focusses on the key Quotes from the play Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. These quotes capture the essence of Twelfth Night, from the exploration of love’s complexities to the humour derived from disguises, madness, and social ambition. Understanding these quotes will help in grasping the key themes.

 “If music be the food of love, play on” (Act 1, Scene 1 – Orsino)

Context: Orsino opens the play, expressing his unrequited love for Olivia.

Significance: This line highlights the theme of love and Orsino’s emotional excess. He views love as something indulgent and overwhelming, much like music.

 “O, she that hath a heart of that fine frame / To pay this debt of love but to a brother!” (Act 1, Scene 1 – Orsino)

Context: Orsino laments Olivia’s grief over her brother’s death.

Significance: This reveals Orsino’s romantic idealism and introduces Olivia’s extreme mourning, setting up the contrast between love and loss.

 “What country, friends, is this?” / “This is Illyria, lady.” (Act 1, Scene 2 – Viola and the Sea Captain)

Context: Viola arrives in Illyria after surviving the shipwreck.

Significance: This marks the beginning of Viola’s journey in Illyria, where she will disguise herself as Cesario, introducing the theme of disguise and mistaken identity.

 “I am a great eater of beef, and I believe that does harm to my wit.” (Act 1, Scene 3 – Sir Andrew Aguecheek)

Context: Sir Andrew tries to justify his foolishness to Sir Toby.

Significance: Sir Andrew’s line is a comic reflection on his character’s dim-wittedness. He is used for light-hearted humour and is a source of foolishness in the play.

 “Conceal me what I am, and be my aid / For such disguise as haply shall become / The form of my intent.” (Act 1, Scene 2 – Viola)

Context: Viola asks the Sea Captain to help her disguise herself as a man.

Significance: This line introduces the theme of disguise and sets the stage for the confusion of identities that dominates the play.

 “Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.” (Act 1, Scene 5 – Feste)

Context: Feste, Olivia’s fool, makes this witty remark to show his cleverness.

Significance: Feste’s line reflects his role as the “wise fool,” who, though officially a fool, often speaks the truth and sees through the pretensions of other characters.

 “O time, thou must untangle this, not I. / It is too hard a knot for me t' untie!” (Act 2, Scene 2 – Viola)

Context: Viola realises that Olivia has fallen in love with her (as Cesario).

Significance: This quote captures the theme of love’s confusion and the complex web of mistaken identities that only time can resolve.

 “Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?” (Act 2, Scene 3 – Sir Toby Belch)

Context: Sir Toby mocks Malvolio’s self-righteousness.

Significance: This quote embodies the theme of festivity versus puritanism. Sir Toby celebrates indulgence, while Malvolio represents strict morality.

 “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em.” (Act 2, Scene 5 – Malvolio)

Context: Malvolio reads the forged letter he believes to be from Olivia.

Significance: This famous line reflects Malvolio’s social ambition and his belief that he can rise above his station. It is part of the comic subplot where he is tricked by Maria and Sir Toby.

 “Disguise, I see, thou art a wickedness.” (Act 2, Scene 2 – Viola)

Context: Viola realises the trouble her disguise is causing, as Olivia falls for Cesario.

Significance: Viola’s line reflects the moral complexity of disguise, as it leads to confusion and unintended consequences.

 “I am not what I am.” (Act 3, Scene 1 – Viola/Cesario)

Context: Viola, as Cesario, subtly tells Olivia that she is not what she appears.

Significance: This line speaks to the theme of identity and hints at Viola’s secret without fully revealing it. It underscores the play’s exploration of hidden truths.

“I’ll be revenged on the whole pack of you!” (Act 5, Scene 1 – Malvolio)

Context: Malvolio’s final words after realising he has been deceived.

Significance: This line marks the tragic undertone of Malvolio’s humiliation. While the play ends happily for most characters, Malvolio’s revengeful exit highlights the consequences of the cruel prank.

 “She never told her love, / But let concealment, like a worm i’ th' bud, / Feed on her damask cheek.” (Act 2, Scene 4 – Viola)

Context: Viola, disguised as Cesario, speaks to Orsino about unspoken love, referring to her own hidden feelings.

Significance: This line reveals Viola’s hidden love for Orsino and reflects the theme of unrequited love in the play.

 “This fellow is wise enough to play the fool, / And to do that well craves a kind of wit.” (Act 3, Scene 1 – Viola)

Context: Viola reflects on Feste’s role as the fool.

Significance: This quote highlights the paradoxical role of the wise fool. Feste, though a fool, demonstrates intelligence and insight throughout the play.

 “I have one heart, one bosom, and one truth, / And that no woman has, nor never none / Shall mistress be of it, save I alone.” (Act 3, Scene 1 – Viola/Cesario)

Context: Viola (as Cesario) tries to reject Olivia’s advances.

Significance: This line reinforces Viola’s loyalty to Orsino and her commitment to her true identity, even while in disguise.

 “I am as mad as he, / If sad and merry madness equal be.” (Act 3, Scene 4 – Olivia)

Context: Olivia reflects on her emotional state after interacting with Malvolio and Cesario.

Significance: Olivia’s line ties into the theme of madness brought on by love and the general confusion among the characters.

 “Why, this is very midsummer madness.” (Act 3, Scene 4 – Olivia)

Context: Olivia comments on Malvolio’s odd behaviour, thinking he is mad.

Significance: This line highlights the theme of madness and the festive chaos that surrounds the characters as misunderstandings pile up.

 “I am sorry, madam, I have hurt your kinsman.” (Act 5, Scene 1 – Sebastian)

Context: Sebastian apologises to Olivia after injuring Sir Toby, not realising the confusion around his mistaken identity.

Significance: This quote shows Sebastian’s bewilderment at the chaotic situations resulting from the mistaken identities of Viola and himself.

 “For the rain it raineth every day.” (Act 5, Scene 1 – Feste)

Context: Feste sings this line in the closing moments of the play.

Significance: Feste’s final song provides a reflective conclusion to the play. It suggests that, despite the happy ending, life’s difficulties—like rain—are inevitable.

 “Journeys end in lovers meeting.” (Act 2, Scene 3 – Feste)

Context: Feste sings this line during the scene with Sir Toby and Sir Andrew.

Significance: This line foreshadows the eventual unions of the couples at the end of the play, reflecting the comedic resolution where lovers come together.