Twelfth Night Episode 6 - "The Whirligigs of Time" Scene 2

Here we are at the end of our play. The pieces will come together, for better or for worse After watching the play read, please choose one of the following options. If you watch the other option, it will be worth +1 EC.

• OPTION #1 - Summary/Analysis Video: Click here
• OPTION #2 - Live Production: Click here

*Also, if you would like a compilation of the some of the big moments from this scene from one of my favorite productions of this play, you can watch it here (not required).

And now our play is done. A comedy, ending in happiness and marriage, although not every character gets a happy ending. There is our foolish wit Malvolio who ends the play much disgruntled. The fate of Antonio is also uncertain, although, given the developments at the end of the play, one can surmise that most likely his fate will be improved. And yet, we see the whirligigs of time have unraveled the knot that was too tough to untie. 

The curtains close.

Twelfth Night Episode 6 - "The Whirligigs of Time" Scene 1

Our play is quickly coming to a close as the loose pieces begin to collide. 

This scene picks up with Feste going after Cesario, as instructed by Olivia. We also will be encountering Sir Toby, Andrew, and Fabian, who also followed after Cesario after the encounter with Antonio. Sir Andrew has determined that he must "beat him up". Now I would like for you to watch 1 of the following two options and answer the question at the end. The other option, due to the length of this scene, will be worth +1 EC.

• OPTION #1 - Summary/Analysis: Click Here
• OPTION #2 - Live Production: Click Here

Twelfth Night Episode 5 - "Some are Born Great" Scene 4

Back at Olivia's Estate... Sir Andrew is currently writing his challenge letter to Cesario. Also, Malvolio has taken the bait of Maria's fake letter and that is coming to a head. As we wrap up Episode 5, the swirling storms of the play start to collide and "things start to go down" as  Whew...that was quite the turn of events. Please choose 1 of the options below to complete as well to round out our production of Scene 4 of Episode 5. Any additional ones completed will each be worth +.5 EC.

• Option #1 - Live Production
• Option #2 - Summary/Analysis Video

Twelfth Night Episode 5 - "Some are Born Great" Scene 3

Antonio looks up and around at the buildings coming into view as he finishes his long journey from the sea-side. There were days where he felt like his feet would fall off from all the walking. Yet, here he was...he had arrived in the domain of the Duke Orsino, this being the closest town to his court. He feels like he is being followed...He quickly turns and sees Antonio quickly walking up to him from behind. No to wrap up, please watch one of the following three options. There is no question to answer today, but I would like you to watch one of the 3. Each additional one that you do will be worth +.5. All you have to do is watch.

• Option #1 - Live Production
• Option #2 - Modern Text Version
• Option #3 - Summary/Analysis

Twelfth Night Episode 5 - "Some are Born Great" Scene 2

Shortly after Lady Olivia dismissed Sir Toby and Sir Andrew, in the servants quarters...

This is the only required version to listen to. However, if you would like additional help with this scene or have enjoyed seeing it in live production, you can view the following items, which are optional and not worth additional extra credit today, albeit I do think they are great, which is why I have included them.

• Live Production
• Live Production (Modern Setting) with Summary/Analysis
• Summary/Analysis Video

Twelfth Night Episode 5 - "Some are Born Great" Scene 1

Viola walks briskly towards the estate of Olivia. Anxiety niggles at her as she remembers the events of her last visit...was Olivia truly falling in love with Cesario? Maybe it had all been in her head? She really hoped so. As she mulls over this conundrum, she hears the light tapping of a drum. She looks up and sees the court fool, Feste, just outside the gates of Olivia's estate. He sees her and smiles, waving her over...

To finish off our production of Scene 1 of Episode 5, please choose 1 of the following options. Make sure to answer the question at the end with a well-thought response. Each additional activity you complete is worth +.5 EC.

• OPTION #1 - Modern Text: Click Here
• OPTION #2 - Summary/Analysis Video: Click Here
• OPTION #3 - Live Production: Click Here

Twelfth Night Episode 4 - "Time Thou Must Untangle This" Scene 5

At the estate of Olivia...

The plot to get revenge on the pompous butler Malvolio. Maria has penned her letter whereby to ensnare Malvolio. While this is happening, Viola is again on her way from Orsino's court, but has not yet arrived.

And so our adventure resumes...

As is the case with the low-plot scenes, they are particularly designed for the pleasure of the listening audience and aren't designed for in-depth study. We will close out this week's episode with this fun scene. If you would like to watch a live production of this scene, I have included that link below. It is not worth additional points, but does make for a good watch. The production uses original Shakespeare language. There is also a link to a summary/analysis video that you may watch if you would like or think you need more help in understanding what happened.

• Summary/Analysis: Click Here
• Live Production: Click Here
• Live Production with Analysis: Click Here

Twelfth Night Episode 4 - "Time Thou Must Untangle This" Scene 4

He hadn't taken the news well, as Viola had feared. Orsino had once again fallen into a deep melancholy...Oh the tricks that love can play! Viola thinks as she watches him take a turn around the room, gazing at the paintings hung on the walls, obviously deep in thought. She had seen during her brief employment a deeper side to Orsino, the side that made him set on his love for Olivia. It's one of the best and worst things about him. Surely, as the waves crash on the shore, Orsino is a man who lives his beliefs and lives them passionately, viscerally. Yet, that can equally enlighten and blind him. Viola shakes her head...And what would you? Unless you do something drastic, uncovering your deceit, there is little you can expect from him, no matter how much your heart yearns for it.

Orsino begins coming back towards her. The expression on his face seems to have changed, as if he has made up his mind about something and that he has a conspiratorial secret to share...

Viola has now made her most passionate speech to Orsino thus far, expressing her own frustration with his quest for Olivia's love but also detailing the conflict that she faces in the story. She faces a tough dilemma in her position as Cesario --- the webs of deceit, while all good-intentioned and, perhaps, necessary for her protection in a strange land, have begun to tighten around Viola. Near the end of the scene as Viola and Orsino talk about the love that men and women might owe each other, Viola makes her most direct confession of love, even if she knows that he will not understand, given their situation. This exchange between Cesario and Orsino is filled with rich lines on the meaning of love and what it can do to withhold it or, on the other hand, to hold too stubbornly to ill-conceived love. it is also worth noting that, in both cases - in her interactions with Orsino and with Olivia - Viola is strong in her opinions, not letting either of them "walk over her" but makes sure that her opinion is heard and, both Olivia and Orsino can't help but find this forwardness and intelligence intriguing. This was a very subtle attack on social/gender norms of the day, in which he gives the woman a strong and personality that is able to think for herself. This is a theme we can agree with as it values the woman for more than just her exterior beauty by making her intellect and personality of value as well. Okay enough of my monologue...to wrap up our production of this scene, please watch one of the following and answer the question at the end. Each additional option that you do is worth +.5 (total of +1 available today). I believe each one helps give a better insight into this scene.

• OPTION #1 - Summary and Analysis Video: Click Here
• OPTION #2 - Modern Text: Click Here
• OPTION #3 - Live Production: Click Here

And so the curtain closes on our scene. As it goes down, the audience sees the set being rearranged and the characters of Sir Toby Belch, Sir Andrew, and company on stage getting ready for their scene in which they plan to lay at a trap for the pompous butler Malvolio.

If you would like to extend your viewing of this scene further, I have attached 2 other versions of the "Patience on a Monument" Speech - Conversation Between Olivia & Orsino below. These aren't worth additional points, but I think they are worthwhile. Feel free to mention in the comments, which version you like best.

• VERSION #1: Click Here
• VERSION #2: Click Here

Twelfth Night Episode 4 - "Time Thou Must Untangle This" Scene 3

Viola's head hangs down as she walks, staring at her feet. Her mind mulls over the final words that Olivia spoke to her. She must've been imagining it. She had to be...Olivia had sworn herself off of love. And yet, she had seen that glint in her eye as they had talked. A shiver of dread runs up and down her spine as she shakes her head to try to free it from the anxious thoughts dwelling there. Then she hears it...heavy footfalls approaching on the road behind her.
Now that you have engaged in the original text, please choose one of the following options to finish off our production of Scene 3 of Episode 4. This is a shorter scene, so the items don't take as long to watch. For each additional item you complete, I will give you +.5, so there's another +1 of EC available. You can type E.C. in the question answer for any additional ones you complete.

• OPTION #1 - Summary and Analysis Video: Click Here
• OPTION #2 - Production in Modern Setting with Built-In Analysis: Click Here
• OPTION #3 - Live Production: Click Here

That ends our production of Scene 3. The "I Left No Ring With Her" Soliloquy is one of the more famous ones from this play and really hits at the heart of this story. Feel free to watch some of the different versions of this soliloquy below (not for points -- just for your own viewing pleasure). If you have a favorite version of the soliloquy, feel free to mention which one in the comments (again, this is not required, just an additional option if you want to further explore this critical moment in the play and see how others have conveyed this scene.

• Version 1
• Version 2 
• Version 3
• Version 4

Twelfth Night Episode 4 - "Time Thou Must Untangle This" Scene 2

Viola approaches the main gate of Olivia's estate. Her nerves jump and frizzle with anxiety. What will I do if I'm not even admitted into the house? She shakes that thought off. She can't return to Orsino without having at least gone in and brought the message. And besides she had spent so much time memorizing the lines of his message that it would be a shame not to make some use of it. She would just have to be persistent enough and they would admit her. Also, she just has to see what this Lady Olivia looks like. What is it about her that has so captured the Duke's attention. Jealous, much? A voice echoes inside her. She tamps it down. No, not jealous. Besides, I'm just a messenger. He doesn't even look at me or think of me like that...why would he? She pauses in her reflection on her situation as the door creaks open. 

A portly fellow, extra rotund around the mid-section and obviously inebriated even at this early hour, opens the gate, "Go away. The mistress of the house is seeing no one." The man's words slur together slightly.

Viola purses her lips slightly in annoyance. First impressions are lacking. What does she have for company here? Show a little decorum!

However, she politely nods and says, "I am here to see the Lady. I have an important message for her."

The man harrumphs, "That's what they all say."  He then sneaks a look back through the door and whispers conspiratorially, "But if you ask me, it's mostly that pompous Malvolio. He's the stick-in-the-mud holding everything up."

"Oh, is that so."

The man nods vigorously, "Truer thing never spoken in Illyria. I like you!" He holds out his hand, "Sir Toby Belch, uncle to the fair Lady."

Viola holds out her hand and politely shakes Belch's hand. "Pleased to -"

Belch's eyes go wide as he squeezes her hand before letting go, "What small delicate hands you have..." He laughs, "Must be why you are saved for sending messages. You won't be fighting any battles or chopping any wood with that fine frame." Viola opens her mouth to protest but Belch continues before a word manages to escape her lips. "In fact, I knew a man once - ridiculous fellow - but a right good talker, and mind you, not a half-bad drinker either..." He winks. "Anyway, this man..."

Meanwhile inside the estate...

Now that you've watched the original, choose to watch 1 of the two things below to help you better understand this scene. If you do both, I will give you +1 E.C. as they are both worthwhile to watch. For your second one, just write "EC" as the answer to the question at the end.

• OPTION #1: Summary/Analysis Video: Click here
• OPTION #2: Live Production: Click here

If you would like to watch additional takes, you can watch these 2 clips from my favorite production of 12th Night. They are not the whole scene, but snippets: Viola meeting Olivia and The Willow Cabin Speech. These aren't worth points. They are purely for your enjoyment if you wish.

Twelfth Night Episode 4 - "Time Thou Must Untangle This" Scene 1

We now turn to episode 4 of our production of Twelfth Night. At the beginning of this episode we are introduced to the characters Sir Toby Belch (Olivia's uncle), Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Maria, Feste the Fool (a character used to provide unexpected insight and wisdom), and Malvolio. These names were intentionally chosen and you will see how their names will match with their personalities. These characters will comprise what is called the "low plot" in Shakespeare in contrast to the "high plot". The high plot is where the main storyline happens and carries most of the themes, etc. The low plot was written into most-to-all of Shakespeare's plays to provide entertainment to the lower-classes who would attend the plays. These were mostly for entertainment value, although there are usually nuggets of themes and stuff that can be rich when dug out of these sections. Unfortunately, these sections in the plays nowadays can be some of the hardest to understand as they were typically written in prose and included lots of inside (time-specific) jokes, slang, etc. This can get really masked by the differences in the language between then and now. I typically read these sections in modernized English only as I believe that this best captures Shakespeare´s intent with these sections of his plays, mostly entertainment. So, to that end, we will simply be reading Scene 1 of Episode 4 in the modern text. It is a longer scene, but you only need to engage with it once. If you find it funny (maybe slightly appalling, but in a way that you almost can't help but shake your head at the characters, that is Shakespeare's intent.) This storyline will continue in the background of our high plot. We will talk about the themes that we do see in this low plot, but that will not be the main focus. It provides a nice, humorous side-plot to our story. So, without further ado...

Viola (as Cesario) has set forth from the court of Duke Orsino and is on his way to see the Lady Olivia and woo her for the Duke. Sebastian is headed to the court of Orsino with Antonio (who has enemies there) following behind. Meanwhile, at the estate of Lady Olivia...
The curtain closes on Scene 1 of Episode 3. In the background, we see Viola approaching on the road. She will be soon arriving at Olivia's bearing news of the Duke's unrequited love.