The cause of Margaret's self-absorbed actions is due to her desires of appearing superior to the people around her. She strives not only to be better than her sons, but also to the general society. An example of this is whenever she neglects everyone's true feelings about the wedding as long as everything goes through with what she has planned. She never once asked him if he really wanted to marry Alizon. She just took the matter into her own hands and hoped for the best. Make sure to make it evident that Margaret would do anything for her way.
Margaret's character should be very calm. In this scene, she never gets excited about any of the events that take place. She takes things lightly and always acts as if everyone else isn't important due to her self-centered personality. For example, whenever Nicolas is trying to tell her that he has killed his brother, she doesn't even act concerned at all and continues with her question. Act as if you are the only person in the world that matters and make sure it's apparent to the audience that you don't care what others want by constantly interrupting with heartless comments full of cold emotions.
Her character should greatly contrast with those around her. Whenever Nicholas and Richard leave to get Humphrey, she tries to act as though she doesn't care, whereas the others watching are concerned with his health. She is never the one to blend in with what others think and always stands out as being heartless. Margaret needs to be portrayed as a very subtly conflicting person because she always seems to clash with others indirectly.
This scene is crucial to the entire play because it supports the theme, "Love cannot be forced. It must be born both genuine and pure." Margaret is consistently trying to force Alizon and Nicholas" love on one another. Their marriage was already arranged for them, leaving them no room for an uncorrupted love.