Sirs Aguecnheek And Belch Essay Research Paper

Sirs Aguecnheek And Belch Essay, Research Paper

Observations & Lessons learned, by an alcoholic, through characters, Shakespeare introduced in his Twelfth Night: Sir Andrew Aguecheek, conspirator, or innocent bystander. Sir Toby Belch, is he a cunning freeloader, or a drunken clown. Moreover, who, metaphorically speaking, will drown in the end.

N.B., Olivia questions Feste the fool [actually a professional witty fool]: .What.s a drunken man like, fool.. Feste replies: .Like a drowned man, a fool, and a madman. One drink too many makes him foolish; the second makes him mad [crazy]; and the third drowns him. She and Feste were discussing her cousin, Sir Toby .wondering if he should require detoxification.(1.5.95-97) following a display of drunkenness in her chambers.

One reading Twelfth Night for the first time might believe the clowns Feste and Fabian are at the heart of humor: not so, they are actually bystanders, or assistants to who I feel are the antagonists, Sir Toby and the chambermaid Maria; yet, Sir Toby and his cohort Sir Andrew are at the core of humor throughout the play. Sir Andrew however, is by no means an antagonist; besides, he is simply too dim-witted to antagonize anyone, and to his credit somewhat admits his flaws (2.3.79-80). He is like a child, or pawn; always subservient to Sir Toby, who takes full advantage of his childlike qualities. In Fabian.s words .He.s your dear little puppet, Sir Toby. (3.2.46). Following this line a perplexing issue arises; Sir Toby.s reply to Fabian .I.ve been dear to him, about two thousand pounds. (3.2.47). Implying that he has given, or loaned Sir Andrew money, yet throughout the text one is led to believe that Sir Toby is cleverly sponging from Sir Andrew, e.g. Toby to Andrew .Thou hadst need send for more money.Send for more money knight,. (2.1.176-81) Is the cunning Sir Toby lying to Fabian.

Sir Toby has been the focus of this writer.s attention during the introduction to Shakespeare.s work. One will learn from his character that Sir Toby.s chicanery and eccentric behavior are brought about by his addiction to alcohol.

Epigram by: Thomas Love PeacockO. not drunk is he who from the floor, can rise alone, and still drink more.

But drunk is he, who prostrate lies, without the power to drink or rise.

Feste, and Maria allude to Sir Toby.s addiction in the following statements, .If Sir Toby would quit drinking you.d [Maria] be as witty a young wench as any in Illyria. (1.5.23-25). Rarely is he without a bottle, or the chambermaid Maria who caters to his whims with matrimony in mind. Then Maria says to Sir Toby, .You must come home earlier at night.confine yourself to what.s reasonable proper. this tippling and drinking will be the ruin of you. (1.3. 5-15). (These comments will prove to be prophetic as the play continues.)

The best example of Sir Toby.s chicanery is his and Maria.s gulling of Malvolio. After Malvolio.s foolish display (3.4.15-57) in front of Olivia, and her leaving to greet Viola/Sebastian, the conspirators could have called their prank off. Instead, Toby chose to continue by telling Maria and Fabian the following: .Come we.ll have him in a dark room and bound.We may carry it thus for our pleasure and his penance till our very pastime, tired out of breath, prompt us to have mercy on him. (3.4.134-37). Earlier in the same scene, Olivia says to Maria: .Where.s Malvolio. He is sad and civil, [but he] suits well for a servant with my fortunes. (3.4.5-6). Olivia, speaking again states: .I would not have him miscarry for half my dowry. (3.4.61-62). It is perfectly clear that Olivia values Malvolio.s contribution to her estate, and anyone trying to destroy him will likely suffer her wrath. Sir Toby was clearly at the heart of this chicanery.

The chaos continues when being spurned by Olivia, Sir Andrew throws a temper tantrum, and threatens to leave. Sir Toby however, ignoring the fact that Andrew is a coward, e.g., .if you opened him and found enough blood to clog the foot of a flea, I.ll eat the rest of him. (3.2.50-55), convinces him a duel is in order; valor will win the hand of Olivia. He is then sent off to write a challenge addressed to Viola/Cesario who he believes, and rightly so, has captured Olivia.s heart. In the mean time, while Andrew is off composing his note filled with .Pepper and vinegar. (3.4.137), the pranksters are watching Malvolio become the paragon of asses. The zenith of their practical joke is reached when, due to his convoluted madness, Malvolio is locked away in darkness to be pestered at will (mentioned earlier) by conspirators: Sir Toby, Maria, Feste, and Fabian.

Sir Andrew returns with his note and the conspirators gather round to review it, Fabian stating: .more [fodder] for merrymaking. (3.4.134). As Sir Andrew is sent to the garden Sir Toby destroys the note, telling Fabian .Now I won.t deliver this letter, [.] the behavior of the young gentleman suggests that he can look after himself [.] this letter, being a masterpiece of ignorance, will generate no terror in the youth. [.] He.ll know it comes from a blockhead. (3.4.168-174).

Sir Toby heads off Viola/Cesario and delivers Sir Andrews challenge in person; whereupon, Viola insists she has not brought harm to anyone, unless by some oversight. Sir Toby warns Viola to be prepared, this knight is known for his prowess, and escorts her to the garden