Malvolio discovers a forged love letter planted by Maria, which he believes is from his mistress, Olivia. He meticulously analyzes the handwriting and cryptic riddles, ultimately falling into the trap of believing he is destined for greatness and Olivia's hand in marriage.
MALVOLIO: By my life, this is my lady's hand! These be her very c's, her u's, and her t's; and thus makes she her great P's. It is, in contempt of question, her hand. 'To the unknown beloved, this, and my good wishes.' Her very phrases! By your leave, wax. Soft — and the impressure her Lucrece, with
Create a free account to explore more
Upgrade to Pro for full access — £6.99/month
Director's Notes
Want expert coaching on this scene?
Browse our curated list of acting coaches, dialect specialists, and more.
Need representation?
Browse verified agents and casting directors in our directory.
How well does this scene match you?
Save your casting profile to see match scores on every scene.
Try Headshot AnalyserGo Pro
£6.99/mo
- ✓ Unlimited scene reading
- ✓ PDF downloads
- ✓ Director's Notes
- ✓ Headshot Analyser
- ✓ Cover Letter Generator
- ✓ Practice Mode
- ✓ Agent Connect
- + 1,000+ scenes
More from Twelfth Night
Act II, Scene 1 — Sebastian's Revelation
from Twelfth Night
Antonio tries to convince Sebastian to let him accompany him, but Sebastian insists on traveling alone, fearing his bad luck will affect Antonio. Sebastian then reveals his true identity and the tragic loss of his twin sister, Viola, to Antonio.
Act II, Scene 2 — Viola's Soliloquy
from Twelfth Night
Viola, disguised as Cesario, receives a ring from Malvolio, sent by Olivia. Viola realizes Olivia has fallen in love with 'Cesario' and is distraught by the complicated love triangle that has emerged, as she loves Orsino, who loves Olivia.
Act II, Scene 2 — Viola's Confusion of Love
from Twelfth Night
Viola realizes that Olivia has fallen in love with her male disguise, Cesario, after being sent a ring under false pretenses. She reflects on the complications of her deception and the messy love triangle involving herself, Olivia, and Duke Orsino.
Act IV, Scene 3 — Sebastian's Soliloquy
from Twelfth Night
Sebastian reels from a whirlwind encounter with Olivia, who has mistaken him for his twin sister Viola in disguise. He attempts to rationalize his sudden good fortune and the lady's apparent sanity despite her erratic behavior toward him.
Similar Scenes
Act I, Scene 2 — Teaching the Foreigner
from The Foreigner
Ellard, a young man often underestimated by his family, attempts to teach Charlie, whom he believes speaks no English, the names of basic kitchen utensils. Through slow, exaggerated demonstrations and patience, Ellard experiences a rare moment of confidence as a teacher.
Act I, Scene 1 — Helena's Soliloquy
from A Midsummer Night's Dream
Helena laments the unrequited nature of her love for Demetrius and his obsession with Hermia. She reflects on the irrationality of love before deciding to betray Hermia's secret flight to Demetrius in hopes of gaining his attention.
Act I, Scene 1 — Leslie's Introduction
from Parks and Recreation
Leslie Knope introduces herself and her deep-seated passion for the American political system. Despite her grand ambitions and love for the 'majesty' of government, she is revealed to be working in a cramped office in Pawnee, Indiana.
The Thanksgiving Pageant Monologue
from Addams Family Values
During a forced Thanksgiving pageant at summer camp, Wednesday Addams goes off-script to deliver a scathing indictment of colonialism before leading a revolt. She contrasts the future suffering of indigenous people with the mundane luxuries of the pilgrims.