Twelfth Night, or What You Will Rules and Order Quotes Page 1

Page (1 of 4) Quotes: 1 2 3 4

How we cite the quotes:
Citations follow this format: (Act.Scene.Line). Line numbers correspond to the Norton edition.

Quote #1

MARIA
Ay, but you must confine yourself within the modest
limits of order.
SIR TOBY BELCH
Confine! I'll confine myself no finer than I am:
these clothes are good enough to drink in; and so be
these boots too: an they be not, let them hang
themselves in their own straps. (1.3.2)

Toby's rebellious behavior and refusal to obey "the limits of order" renders him a kind of "Lord of Misrule" (a figure appointed to be in charge of festivities during holiday celebrations like Twelfth Night). Toby acts as the ring leader throughout the play, orchestrating entertainment and causing mischief (like the elaborate prank on Malvolio).

Quote #2

MARIA
That quaffing and drinking will undo you: I heard
my lady talk of it yesterday; and of a foolish
knight that you brought in one night here to be her wooer. (1.3.3)

Here, Maria accuses Toby of excessive "drinking" and "quaffing" (downing large amounts of liquid quickly). Critics note that Toby Belch (as his name suggests) is pretty nearly synonymous with the bodily excesses in which he indulges.

Quote #3

SIR TOBY BELCH
What a plague means my niece, to take the death of
her brother thus? I am sure care's an enemy to life.
MARIA
By my troth, Sir Toby, you must come in earlier o'
nights: your cousin, my lady, takes great
exceptions to your ill hours. (1.3.1)

We know that Toby lives each day of his life as though it is a 24/7 party. While his excessive lifestyle is in keeping with the play's festive atmosphere, his behavior also seems grotesque in light of the fact that he carries on while Olivia is in mourning. On the other hand, we could say that Toby's partying draws attention to the excessiveness of Olivia's sad demeanor, which is completely out of place in this play.

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