Twelfth Night - Antonio

How does Antonio not have a happy ending?

Antonio ends up imprisoned without his friend/lover who has just married someone else.

What motifs does Antonio develop?

- Transactional Love

- Courtly Love

- Masters and Servants

What role does Antonio play in developing the intertwining themes of love and melancholy?

Antonio is a sorrowful lover who suffers potentially unrequited love. His love for Sebastian develops the themes of love and melancholy as he devotes himself to him completely only to experience betrayal from who he thinks is Sebastian.

How does Antonio develop conflict and tension?

Antonio's presence introduces conflict and tension because he is wanted for crimes he committed and he develops the theme of mistaken identity when he mistakes Viola for Sebastian.

How does Antonio develop the theme of love and desire?

His love for Sebastian blurs the lines between romantic and platonic, allowing the play to explore the potential of homoerotic love.

How does Antonio contrast other characters?

Antonio's love and loyalty towards Sebastian contrasts the self serving attitudes of characters like Malvolio and Sir Toby, adding another layer to the play's exploration of love, class and transactional behaviour.

How does Antonio develop the plot of the play?

By mistaking Viola and Sebastian, Antonio adds to the dramatic irony and motif of mistaken identity in the play.

According to Emma Smith, how does Antonio complicate the plot?

Antonio is unnecessary and complicates the plot by preventing Sebastian from being an entirely clean slate.

What is the significance of Antonio's presence on the presentation of Sebastian?

By not allowing Sebastian to be a clean slate, Shakespeare allows us to see the profound impact people have on our lives (through Sebastian solving the love triangle) whilst still having their own separate life.

Give two quotes from Antonio from Act 2, Scene 1.

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

- "adore thee so that danger shall seem sport and I will go"

Give three quotes from Antonio from Act 3, Scene 3.

- "My willing love the rather by these arguments of fear set forth in your pursuit"

- "My desire more sharp than filed steel"

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

Give two quotes from Antonio from Act 3, Scene 4.

- "I snatched one half out of the jaws of death, relieved him with such sanctity of love"

- "O how vile and idol proves this God! Thou hast, Sebastian, done good feature shame"

Give two quotes from Antonio from Act 5, Scene 1.

- "A witchcraft drew me hither"

- From the rude sea's enraged and foamy mouth did I redeem"