Twelfth Night, or What You Will Rules and Order Quotes

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).

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.

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.

When Toby teases Sir Andrew Aguecheek for allowing Maria to bag on him and make him look silly, he emphasizes the way Maria too is aligned with the play's festive atmosphere (despite her half-hearted attempts to control Toby's behavior). Not only does Maria fool around with Toby and the guys when she's supposed to be keeping Olivia happy, she's also an unruly figure because she's a woman who talks back to men. As the mastermind behind the prank on Malvolio (Maria's the one who forges the letter), Maria is placed in direct opposition to Puritanical figures like Malvolio.

When Sir Andrew Aguecheek mentions that he enjoys "masques and revels," he reminds us that Twelfth Night not only depicts a carnival-like atmosphere, but is just the kind of play that Elizabethans would have enjoyed during the winter festival season. Note: We don't know for sure if it was written for or even performed on Twelfth Night. You can check out "What's Up with the Title?" for more on this.

Here, Olivia compliments Feste the Clown, whose fooling and performance seems to embody the spirit of the play and the Twelfth Night festival. (He sings, dances, tells great jokes, and entertains audiences with his wit and humor, etc.) It's significant that Olivia uses the term "mend" because she not only implies that laughter is the best medicine for a sad mood, but she also alludes to the idea that plays and sanctioned celebrations like Twelfth Night and Mardi Gras are necessary for the health of the community – they allow everyday folks to let loose, forget about their worries, and have a bit of cathartic fun.

Here, Toby upbraids Malvolio for having the audacity to criticize his social betters. Malvolio, after all, is Olivia's "steward," not a member of the upper class. Toby refers to "cakes and ale," popular treats served during Twelfth Night festivities. (As every kid in Louisiana knows, "king cakes" are also popular during Mardi Gras.)

Here, Maria sums up why Malvolio is so disliked by Toby and company – he acts like a "kind of puritan," a member of a religious sect in 16th-century England that was opposed to the raucous festivities of Twelfth Night and other winter festivals. Humiliating Malvolio becomes important not merely as a petty act of revenge, but also as a larger way to challenge moral authority.

Sir Toby and Sir Andrew always manage to find an excuse to stay up all hours drinking "sack" (ale). (In fact, they go to dramatic lengths to convince themselves that being awake at, say, two o'clock in the morning is just as healthy as waking up early.) Their determination to never let the party end, however, reminds us that Twelfth Night marks the end of the Christmas celebrations. Like all good things, even a spirited party season must come to an end and order must be restored. Yet, Shakespeare also seems a bit reluctant to return to the status quo. At the end of the play, he appears to restore social order (identities are revealed and heterosexual partners are paired up). He does, however, leave Viola in her "Cesario" disguise, which suggests that Shakespeare, like Toby and Andrew, doesn't really want to call it a night either.

It's easy to forget that Shakespeare's play is named after a religious holiday, but in this passage – Duke Orsino's response to the moment just before Viola reveals her identity – we are reminded that Twelfth Night, or the Feast of the Epiphany, celebrates the birth and "revelation" of the Christ child. Critics often point to the connection between the play's many unveilings (Olivia's removal of her mourning veil, Malvolio's realization of the truth about the forged letter, the twins' discovery that their siblings are alive, and Viola's revelation that "Cesario" is a woman) echo revelations.