Twelfth Night · Chapter
Scene II explained
Maria and the Clown (Feste) disguise Feste as Sir Topas the curate to torment the imprisoned Malvolio.
What happens
Maria and the Clown (Feste) disguise Feste as Sir Topas the curate to torment the imprisoned Malvolio. Feste, in disguise, visits Malvolio in the dark cell, pretending to believe he is mad. Malvolio insists he is sane and begs for pen, ink, and paper to write to Olivia. After Sir Toby and Maria leave, Feste, in his own voice, promises to help Malvolio, then exits singing.
Themes in this chapter
Disguise and Deception
Feste disguises himself as Sir Topas to deceive Malvolio, continuing the theme of mistaken identity and trickery.
Madness and Folly
Malvolio is treated as a madman, and Feste plays with the idea of madness versus sanity, questioning what is real.
Characters to notice
- Maria
Initiates the plot to disguise Feste as Sir Topas and calls Sir Toby.
- Feste
Disguises himself as Sir Topas the curate to mock Malvolio, then later agrees to fetch light and paper for him.
- Sir Toby Belch
Participates in the deception, praising Feste's performance, but later expresses concern about the consequences.
- Malvolio
Imprisoned in darkness, insists he is sane and pleads for writing materials to appeal to Olivia.
Key passages
“Nay, I prithee, put on this gown and this beard; make him believe thou art Sir Topas the curate: do it quickly; I’ll call Sir Toby the whilst.”
Maria asks Feste to dress up as a priest to fool Malvolio.
Maria orchestrates the disguise plot.
“I am not mad, Sir Topas: I say to you, this house is dark.”
Malvolio insists he is sane and that his cell is truly dark.
Malvolio defends his sanity against Feste's taunts.
“Good fool, help me to some light and some paper: I tell thee, I am as well in my wits as any man in Illyria.”
Malvolio begs Feste for writing materials, claiming he is perfectly sane.
Malvolio seeks to communicate with Olivia to prove his sanity.