Twelfth Night, or What You Will Foolishness and Folly Quotes Page 4

Olivia's sympathetic response to the revelation that Malvolio has been duped seems to be the only voice of compassion directed at Malvolio's folly. How do you respond to the prank on Malvolio? Do you read it as a funny situation that shouldn't be taken seriously? Or, do you respond to it as a dark, disturbing element in an otherwise light-hearted play? Something else?

When Toby asks for "Dick" the surgeon after Sebastian bloodies his face, Feste informs him that the doctor is unavailable. In any other play, the lack of available medical help for a wounded man would be tragic. In Twelfth Night, however, the situation is comedic. In a play where just about everyone engages in outlandish behavior, even the doctor is too drunk to function.