Account of the Plot Against Malvolio

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Account of the Plot Against Malvolio The plot against Malvolio begins when Sir Andrew, Sir Toby and Feste the clown return to Olivia's house drunk. At the beginning of Act Two, scene Three the trio are making a tremendous amount of noise dancing on and around the kitchen table, shouting and singing at the top of their lungs. This commotion causes Maria - a maid of Olivia's - to come down and warn them to be quiet, saying 'what a caterwauling do you keep here!' (Act Two Scene Three, Line 66). She tells them she has seen Malvolio - the head servant of Olivia's house - coming down to the kitchen where the three drunken men are. When Malvolio comes into the kitchen he asks the men if they have any respect at all. 'Is there no respect of place, persons, nor time in you?' (Act Two Scene Three, line 84-85). In a raised voice he reprimands the three men on behalf of Olivia who at the time was trying to sleep. As Malvolio leaves it is apparent that nobody in the room likes him at all. He is so disgusted with the treatment he received from Malvolio he decides 'to challenge him the field, and then to break promise with him and make a fool of him.' (Act Two Scene Three, line 117-118). Maria persuades him to 'be patient for tonight.' (Act Two Scene Three, line 121), as she has a better idea, an idea that will get Malvolio back for all the nasty things he has said to them in the past. Maria's handwriting is almost identical to that of Olivia's. So Maria comes up with the idea of a letter, a letter from Olivia to Malvolio. In the letter to Malvolio, Maria will pretend that Olivia is in love with Malvolio. And if Malvolio is in love with Olivia he will have to prove his love by carrying out simple tasks. Maria drops hints for Malvolio. 'M O A I doth sway my life' (Act Two Scene Five line 98), and 'I may command where I adore;' (Act Two Scene Five line 95),

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