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Shakspeare, Twelfth Night. Act III, Scene IV

1803, Engraving
Shakspeare, Twelfth Night. Act III, Scene IV
Shakspeare, Twelfth Night. Act III, Scene IV
Shakspeare, Twelfth Night. Act III, Scene IV
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Category
Library Item
Item no
40240
Title
Shakspeare [Shakespeare]. Twelfth Night. Act III, Scene IV
Description
Malvolio: Sweet lady, ho, ho.
Olivia: Smilest thou?/ I sent for thee upon a sad occasion.
Mal: Sad, lady! I could be sad: this does make some/ obstruction in the blood, this cross-gartering; but/ what of that? if it please the eye of one, it is/ with me as the very true sonnet is, 'Please one, and/ please all.' [...]

Malvolio, a steward in Olivia’s household was made to believe that the noblewoman is in love with him, and to earn her hand in marriage he should wear yellow stockings and crossed garters, act frivolously, always smile and never explain himself to anyone. This is a trick orchestrated by the other members of Olivia’s household, mainly Maria, her waiting-woman. John Henry Ramberg depicts the scene where Olivia calls for Malvolio who comes in his infamous stockings and crossed garter and is acting so strangely that Olivia is convinced he has gone mad. The steward stands in the centre of the picture, showing off his footwear, next to him a monkey, to further accentuate his foolish behaviour. On the left Maria hides her laughter upon seeing her plan working so well, while Olivia sits and looks at the man confused and through a veil, literally on the picture and figuratively as well in the narrative, since she does not know what is going on with the man. On the left the accomplices of Maria take a peek at Malvolio making a fool of himself. The richness of Olivia is made clear by the elaborate setting, the beautiful room and costumes, and even the exotic animal.
Engraver
Thomas Ryder
Date
1803
Size
64.5 x 50 cm
Type
Location
Art and Design Library
Rights and purchasing
Option
Price
Digital FileElectronic file 72 dpi JPEG​
£6.10(inc. VAT 20%)
Digital FileElectronic File 300 dpi TIFF​
£31.00(inc. VAT 20%)
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