Twelfth Night: Familial Behaviors

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n reading Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night play, it is evident that the un-familial behavior of Sir Toby towards Olivia does not parallel the strong family commitment between Sebastian and Viola. The uncle-to-niece relationship between Sir Toby and Olivia stress how distinct bonds with relatives from the extended family transpire because of the lack of feelings and knowledge about each other, while brother-to-sister relationships, such as the one with Sebastian and Viola, possess stronger and deeper love for each other. Through Sir Toby’s problematic actions and rude remarks about Olivia’s suffering, the un-familial behavior exerting from Sir Toby is perceptible, while through Sebastian’s and Viola’s yearning for one another prove their family commitment. Throughout the Twelfth Night, Sir Toby leads the audience to conclude that he is a selfish, materialistic based nobleman, which causes him to act the way he does to his family member, Olivia. Sir Toby first displays a sense of rudeness towards Olivia when he states, “What a plague means my niece to take the death of her thus? I am sure care’s an enemy to life”(1.3.1), because, although his nephew has recently passed away, it does not occur to him to provide Olivia with any kind of comfort but instead question her mourning, which portrays him as insensitive and could be the reason why they don’t hold a close relationship. It is reasonable to hypothesize that Sir Toby has inhabited Olivia’s house for quite some time now because he feels comfortable enough to always be inebriate and disregard the multiple times that Olivia threatens to oust him from her house if he continues to drink. Maria, however, always reminds him that “That quaffing and drinking will undo....”(1.3.13) him. His ignorance towards her confirm the lack of respect he has towards her as a person and as a family member. In general, twins, as a result

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