Twelfth Night – from Act 2 Scene 3, lines 142 to 172
In this extract, Maria, Sir Toby and Sir Andrew are talking about Malvolio.
MARIA
The devil a puritan that he is, or anything
constantly, but a time-pleaser; an affectioned ass,
that cons state without book, and utters it by
great swarths; the best persuaded of himself; so 145
crammed, as he thinks, with excellences, that it is
his grounds of faith that all that look on him love
him; and on that vice in him will my revenge find
notable cause to work.
SIR TOBY
What wilt thou do? 150
MARIA
I will drop in his way some obscure epistles of
love; wherein, by the colour of his beard, the
shape of his leg, the manner of his gait, the
expressure of his eye, forehead, and complexion,
he shall find himself most feelingly personated. I 155
can write very like my lady your niece; on a
forgotten matter we can hardly make distinction
of our hands.
SIR TOBY
Excellent! I smell a device.
SIR ANDREW
I have’t in my nose, too. 160
SIR TOBY
He shall think, by the letters that thou wilt drop,
that they come from my niece, and that she’s in
love with him.
MARIA
My purpose is, indeed, a horse of that colour.
SIR ANDREW
And your horse now would make him an ass. 165
MARIA
Ass, I doubt not.
SIR ANDREW
O! ’t will be admirable.
MARIA
Sport royal, I warrant you; I know my physic will
work with him. I will plant you two, and let the
fool make a third, where he shall find the letter; 170
observe his construction of it. For this night, to
bed, and dream on the event. Farewell.

Explore how Shakespeare presents the character of Maria in this extract.
Refer closely to the extract in your answer.

In this extract from Act 2 Scene 3 of Twelfth Night, Maria, a clever and mischievous maid, is discussing her plan for revenge against Malvolio with Sir Toby and Sir Andrew. Maria’s character is presented as cunning, witty, and determined to teach Malvolio a lesson.

Maria starts by describing Malvolio as a “time-pleaser” and an “affectioned ass,” implying that he is a hypocrite who only pleases others when it benefits him, and a foolish person who is overly self-assured. She mocks his inflated sense of self, noting that he thinks he is filled with “excellences” and believes that everyone loves him. Maria sees an opportunity for revenge in this vanity, stating that she will create love letters that will make Malvolio believe they are from Olivia, whom he is infatuated with.