Twelfth Night - Social Class and Ambition

Which characters want to improve their social status?

Sir Andrew of Aguecheek and Malvolio

Which characters end up with improved social statuses by the end of the play?

Sebastian, Maria and Viola

Give three quotes from Act 1, Scene 3 relating to social class and ambition.

- "She'll none o'th'count. She'll not match above her degree, neither in estate, years nor wit - I have heard her swear't."

- "knight"

- "must confine yourself to the modest limits of order.

Give one quote from Act 1, Scene 4 relating to social class and ambition.

"thou shall live as freely as thy lord, to call his fortunes thine"

Give two quotes from Act 2, Scene 1 relating to social class and ambition.

- "If you will not murder me for my love, let me be your servant."

- "Roderigo" / "Sebastian of Messaline"

Give a quote from Act 2, Scene 2 relating to social class and ambition.

"If it be worth stooping for, there it lies, in your eye; if not be it his that finds it."

Give two quotes from Act 2, Scene 3 relating to social class and ambition.

- "Art any more than a steward? Does thou think because thou are virtuous there shall be no more cakes and ale?"

- "My masters, are you made or what are you? Have you no wit, manners nor honesty but to gabble like tinkers at this time of night."

Give five quotes from Act 2, Scene 5 relating to social class and ambition.

- "Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them."

- "You know she brought me out o'favour with my lady about a bear baiting here"

- "baffle Sir Toby, I will wash off gross acquaintance"

- "I could marry this wench for this device"

- "I extend my hand to him thus, quenching my familiar smile with an austere regard of control"

Give three quotes from Act 3, Scene 1 relating to social class and ambition.

- "A sentence is but a cheverel glove to a good wit: how quickly the wrong sides may be turned outward"

- "Cesario is your servant's name, fair princess"

- "Will I my master's tears to you deplore"

Give one quote from Act 3, Scene 2 relating to social class and ambition.

"dear manikin to you"

Give four quotes from Act 3, Scene 3 relating to social class and ambition.

- "Haply your eye shall light upon some toy You have desire to purchase [...] not for idle markets, sir"

- "My kind Antonio"

- "uncurrent pay"

- "I am not weary and tis long to night. I pray you, let us satisfy our eyes"

Give two quotes from Act 3, Scene 4 relating to social class and ambition.

- "nightingales answer daws"

- "Go hang yourselves... You are idol shallow things, I am not of your element"

Give one quote from Act 4, Scene 1 relating to social class and ambition.

"Ungracious wretch fit for the mountains and the barbarous caves"

Give four quotes from Act 5 relating to social class and ambition.

- "Here comes the countess; now heaven walks on earth"

- "I'll be revenged on the whole pack of you"

- "Orsino's mistress and his fancy's queen"

- "After him I love More than I love these eyes, more than my life, More by all mores than e'er I shall love wife"

How does Viola's disguise link to the theme of social class and ambition?

Viola's disguise allows her to navigate different social spheres that would typically be closed to her as a woman