Maria (Twelfth Night)

Maria is a fictional character in the play Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. She is a servant in Olivia's household.

Role in the play

Maria is Olivia's most trusted female servant. She tends to her personal appearance and well-being. She also has a relationship with Olivia's uncle, the drunk Sir Toby Belch. Although Maria often tries to discourage Toby from drinking and carousing, she also seems to enjoy these activities herself, to some extent.

Since Toby and his friends Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Feste, and Fabian often drink and sing loudly at night, Olivia's steward Malvolio has a strained relationship with them. After Malvolio berates them for one such occasion, Maria comes up with the idea of deceiving Malvolio that his lady Olivia is secretly in love with him. Maria can imitate Olivia's handwriting, writes a love letter hinting at this secret love, and leaves it where Malvolio will find it.

Maria also participates in the "dark room" scene, when Toby and Feste put Malvolio in a windowless little room and torture him with questions. At the end of the play Maria marries Sir Toby.

Connections with other characters

• Olivia is Maria's lady and employer
• Sir Toby Belch is Maria's lover and eventual husband
• Malvolio is the steward in Olivia's household and therefore Maria's supervisor

Quotes

• By my troth, Sir Toby, you must come in earlier a' nights: Your cousin, my lady, takes great exceptions to your ill hours.
  • Maria explaining to Sir Toby that her lady is not fond of her uncle's behaviour (Act 1, Scene 3).
• Nay, either tell me where thou hast been, or I will not open my lips so wide as a bristle may enter, in way of thy excuse. My lady will hang thee for thy absence.
  • Maria scolding Feste for being absent from the household (Act 1, Scene 5).
• I can write very like my lady your niece: on a forgotten matter we can hardly make distinction of our hands.
  • Maria conspiring with Sir Toby to write a letter that would fool Malvolio (Act 2, Scene 3).
• Go shake your ears!
  • Maria insulting Malvolio
• Get him to say his prayers, good Sir Toby, get him to pray.
  • Maria egging on Sir Toby to annoy Malvolio.

Performers

Sources

• Guide to Twelfth Night
• Analysis of Major Characters in Twelfth Night
• Summary of Twelfth Night and Characters