Act IV

Scene I1. What do you think is happening when Sir Andrew says, “Now, sir, have I met you again? There’s for you”?

• Sir Andrew thinks Sebastian is Cesario. When he says “There’s for you,” he hits Sebastian because he believes Cesario is a coward and won’t hit him back. In reality, it’s Sebastian and he does hit Andrew back.

2. Why would the Clown’s line, “Nothing that is so is so,” be a good title for this scene?

• This scene is full of confusion and more mistaken identities. This time it happens to Sebastian, she is mistaken for his twin, Olivia. Sebastian is misidentified by four people: the clown uses sarcasm; Sir Andrew starts a fight and threatens a lawsuit; Sir Toby almost begins t duel; and Olivia confesses her love.

3. What is Olivia asking Sebastian in the following passage?

• “Nay, come, I prithee; would thou’dst be ruled by me!”

• Olivia is asking Sebastian, who she thinks is Cesario, to marry her.

Scene II1. Why does Maria want the clown to disguise himself as Sir Topas, the curate (priest)/

• Maria wants Sir Topas to visit Malvolio to continue to tease him.

2. What philosophical statement does the Clown, pretending to be Sir Topas, make about darkness?

• Sir Topas says that there is “no darkness but ignorance.”

• This reflects not only on where Malvolio is, but on the entire play.

3. Why does Sir Toby want to end the practical joke on Malvolio?

• Sir Toby is in trouble with Olivia because he tried to fight a duel with Sebastian. He wants to end the joke because he is worried it will cause him more problems with Olivia.

Scene III1. What possible explanations does Sebastian offer to try and explain Olivia’s proposal of marriage?

• Sebastian thinks it must be some kind of error because he knows that he is not mad. He does not think Olivia is mad, despite her strange behavior, because she is able to effectively command her household.

2. Why does Olivia want Sebastian to accompany her and the priest into the church?

• Olivia wants Sebastian to marry her as soon as possible.

3. For what reasons do you think the audience is willing to accept this scenario that it is possible for Olivia to be unable to tell the difference between Sebastian and Viola/Cesario?

• The members of the audience want to be entertained.

Who said it: “Nothing that is so is so,”

• Clown

4b. “If is be thus to dream, still let me sleep!”

• Sebastian 4c. “That that is, is” • Clown