Act three opens at the garden adjoining Olivia's house. This garden is where lines 1 - 100 will occur. Often times the garden is portrayed onstage as a courtyard with real plants, a backdrop, or a combination of both. Several columns are usually added to Olivia's house and the courtyard in order to add a Mediterranean atmosphere to Shakespeare's Illyria. Twelfth Night takes place in Duke Orsino's court, Olivia's house, Olivia's garden, and to a much lesser extent on a street and beach of Illyria. This allows for the production to have fairly elaborate scenery, because the set changes are simple and far enough apart to accommodate the minor adjustments that transform Olivia's house into Orsino's domicile.
A play on gender and sexuality is the main action of Twelfth Night; however this scene focuses on the importance and duality of words. The primary action of act three, scene one occurs in the dialogue. What ensues is a brilliant example of Shakespeare's mastery of the English language. Instead of the physical fighting found in Romeo and Juliet or Hamlet, Shakespeare creates a playful bandying of words and wit. The result of which adds an interesting dimension to Viola by merit of her quick wit and clever thinking. The portrayal of Viola as a bright, self-sufficient, and accomplished female almost makes her a foil to the gullible and flighty Olivia.
Scene one begins with Viola/Cesario returning to Olivia's house to continue the Duke Orsino's overtures. In the garden, she meets Feste the Fool. The conversation that follows is heated and reveals a great deal about Feste's role in the play. Feste is shown to be not just a comic relief figure, like Sir Andrew; he is perceptive when others are not, as Viola notes after the encounter. The conversation is so spirited, because Feste and Viola actually have a good deal in common; both are paid servants who are much more than they seem to be, and hence present some threat to each other as they search out each other's secrets.
Cliff McCraw English H-Block Pointing out the humor in Act II Scene III and how to bring it out. Line 1-3: This line should be delivered to Andrew as an arrogant piece of advice, letting the audience know of the hypocrisy of Toby's statement; he is a drunk. ... This exchange between Malvolio and Maria should act as another break in comedy, just like the sad song that is sung by Feste. ...
