Act 1 scene III

Sir Toby’s encouragement to sir Andrew as Olivia’s suitor

Setting : Olivia’s house (enter Sir Toby Belch and the waiting-maid Maria)

Sir Toby : Why is my niece allowing grief to consume her whole after the death of her
brother

Maria: You know your niece is not fond of you coming home this late. I suggest you
make an effort to return earlier and your excessive drinking habits will ruin you as I
heard my lady make mention of it yesterday. She is also not pleased with the foolish
knight you brought to win her over

Sir Toby: Sir Aguecheek?

Maria: Ay he , both of you drink in excess until you are both drunk nightly

Sir Toby: Well I think it is well within my rights to drink to my nieces health and
encourage people to drink to her health as well. Sir Aguecheek is an extravagant man,
not to mention intelligent; he plays bass-viol and speaks four languages ! Nature has
bestowed all talents upon him !

Maria: He does indeed possess all the gifts of nature to such an extent that he is regarded
as an idiot and on top of that a fool!

Sir Toby: I defend my friend with my life as people know him as a fool but the man is
much more intelligent than he is accredited for

Enter sir Aguecheek