Twelfth Night Flashcards
(18 cards)
“If music be the food of love, play on.” — Orsino, Act 1, Scene 1
➔ Introduces the theme of love’s excess and emotional self-indulgence.
Shows love as excessive and self-indulgent; Orsino is more in love with the idea of love than with Olivia herself.
“Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.” — Feste, Act 1, Scene 5
➔ Feste highlights the play’s concern with wisdom and foolishness.
Feste exposes the idea that real wisdom often comes from those who appear foolish, challenging social hierarchies.
“O time, thou must untangle this, not I; It is too hard a knot for me to untie!” — Viola, Act 2, Scene 2
➔ Emphasises fate and destiny in resolving the characters’ confusions.
Viola acknowledges that human effort cannot resolve the complex entanglement of mistaken identities and feelings — a surrender to fate.
“Disguise, I see thou art a wickedness.” — Viola, Act 2, Scene 2
➔ Viola realises the complications caused by her disguise — a key tension in the play.
Viola realises that her disguise, intended for survival, causes unintended emotional chaos. Identity and deception emerge as key concerns.
“I was adored once too.” — Sir Andrew, Act 2, Scene 3
➔ A humorous but melancholic line reflecting on lost youth and unrequited love.
A humorous yet melancholic reflection on lost youth and unrequited love; undercuts the play’s otherwise comic tone with sadness.
“I am all the daughters of my father’s house, and all the brothers too.” — Viola, Act 2, Scene 4
➔ Viola hints at her disguised identity and the fluidity of gender
Viola hints at her concealed identity and reflects on her internal conflict; gender roles and disguise are central here.
“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ‘em.” — Malvolio (reading Maria’s letter), Act 2, Scene 5
➔ Satirises ambition and the social hierarchies of Illyria.
Mocks ambition and the arbitrary nature of status. Malvolio’s gullibility highlight’s themes of self-delusion and pride.
“This fellow is wise enough to play the fool.” — Viola (about Feste), Act 3, Scene 1
➔ Reinforces the theme of wisdom hidden in folly — appearances are deceptive.
Shows that true wisdom can be hidden behind an appearance of foolishness; challenges surface-level judgments.
“Love sought is good, but given unsought is better.” — Olivia, Act 3, Scene 1
➔ Highlights Olivia’s assertiveness and critiques traditional courtship roles.
Praises spontaneous love over contrived courtship; values authenticity in emotional expression.
“Thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges.” — Feste, Act 5, Scene 1
➔ Summarises the cyclical nature of fortune and poetic justice at the play’s conclusion.
Time acts as a great leveller, eventually bringing justice and consequences for actions.
“I’ll be revenged on the whole pack of you.” — Malvolio, Act 5, Scene 1
➔ Reveals the lingering bitterness and unresolved cruelty beneath the play’s comic ending, disrupting the festive mood
Despite the festive ending, Malvolio’s bitterness signals unresolved cruelty and lingering resentment.
- Love and Desire
1.”If music be the food of love, play on.” — Orsino
2.”I was adored once too.” — Sir Andrew
3.”Love sought is good, but giv’n unsought is better.” — Olivia
- Identity and Fate and Disguise
1.”O time, thou must untangle this, not I; It is too hard a knot for me to untie!” — Viola
2.”Disguise, I see thou art a wickedness.” — Viola
3.”I am all the daughters of my father’s house, and all the brothers too.” — Viola
- Folly, Festivity, Foolishness and Wisdom
1.”Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.” — Feste
2.”This fellow is wise enough to play the fool.” — Viola (about Feste)
3.”Thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges.” — Feste
- Social Ambition and Class
1.”I’ll be revenged on the whole pack of you.” — Malvolio
2.”Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ‘em.” — Malvolio (reading)
- Melancholy and Madness
1.”I was adored once too.” — Sir Andrew “Thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges.” — Feste
2.”I’ll be revenged on the whole pack of you.” — Malvolio
3.”Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ‘em.” — Malvolio (reading)
- Gender and Sexual Confusion
1.”Love sought is good, but giv’n unsought is better.” — Olivia
2.”I am all the daughters of my father’s house, and all the brothers too.” — Viola
- Appearance vs Reality
1.”This fellow is wise enough to play the fool.” — Viola (about Feste)
2.”Disguise, I see thou art a wickedness.” — Viola fallen for Cesario.
3.”O time, thou must untangle this, not I; It is too hard a knot for me to untie!” — Viola his wit to Olivia.
4.”Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.” — Feste
