Act IV
1. What is the result of Sebastian’s reappearance in IV.i?
The characters mistake Sebastian for Cesario (Viola).
2. Who dresses up and how does disguise create comedy in scene IV.ii? Compare the reasons for this character’s disguise with Viola’s motivations to pretend to be a boy servant in I.ii.
Feste/Clown dresses up as Sir Topaz in IV.ii – and Malvolio thinks that he has come to console him, however the audience is aware of the continued trickery. Both characters disguise themselves in order to deceive people of their identities however Viola pretends to be a boy not to play a practical joke but in order to get work at Orsino’s court.
3. What might Feste/Clown’s quote ‘there is no darkness but ignorance’ (IV.ii.41-2) tell us about the relationship between trickery and deception, and ignorance, gullibility and self-deception? (Relate your answer specifically to Malvolio who falls for the joke set up by Maria, Sir Toby & Sir Andrew).
Feste means to say that one will remain unaware of the truth (in darkness) if they are ignorant, that is completely oblivious, unaware and uninformed. Malvolio’s self-importance and pride means that he is gullible and easily tricked, because he actually thinks Olivia loves him because he thinks so highly of himself. If Malvolio was not ignorant or blinded by his vanity he would have realized this was a joke and would not have fallen for it or would not have allowed himself to be tricked.
4. Who gets married in IV.iii? What are your thoughts about this marriage?
Sebastain and Olivia marry – it is believable that Olivia readily marries Sebastian because we know she thinks he is Cesario (Viola) and that she is deeply in love with him (her). Sebastian on the other hand quickly agrees to marry a person he hardly knows – is this love at first sight? Is Olivia’s position and good looks enough to tempt any suitor?
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