Maria:If you desire the spleen,and will laugh yourself into stitches,follow me.yond gull Malvolio is turned heathen,a very renegado; saved by believing rightly,can never believe such impossible passages of grossness. He's in yellow stockings. Sir Toby:And cross-gartered? Maria:Most villainously;like a pendant that keeps a school in church.i have dogged him: like his murderer.He does obey every point of the letter that i dropped to betray him: he does smile his face into more lines than is in the new map with the augmentation of the indies:you have not seen such a thing as 'tis.I can hardly forbear hurling things at him:if she do,he'll smile and take it for a great favour. (Twelfth Night) Which of the following statements reflects best the situation revealed above

Question 30 of 327

Maria:If you desire the spleen,and will laugh
yourself into stitches,follow me.yond gull
Malvolio is turned heathen,a very renegado;
saved by believing rightly,can never believe
such impossible passages of grossness.
He's in yellow stockings.
Sir Toby:And cross-gartered?
Maria:Most villainously;like a pendant that keeps
a school in church.i have dogged him:
like his murderer.He does obey every point
of the letter that i dropped to betray him:
he does smile his face into more lines than
is in the new map with the augmentation of
the indies:you have not seen such a thing as
'tis.I can hardly forbear hurling things at
him:if she do,he'll smile and take it for
a great favour.
(Twelfth Night)
Which of the following statements reflects best the situation revealed above

A. Malvolio is greatly admired by Maria nad Sir Toby
B. Malvolio's dress and bearing will please Lady Olivia very much
C. Malvolio is decieved into doing things hated by Olivia
D. Malvolio is a heathen and pendant

Correct Answer: C

Explanation

The correct option is C. Malvolio is deceived into doing things hated by Olivia. Explanation of the Correct Answer

Context of the Scene: In this excerpt from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, Maria and Sir Toby are discussing Malvolio, who is the steward to Lady Olivia. They are plotting to trick him into believing that Olivia loves him, which leads him to behave in a ridiculous manner. This scene highlights the theme of deception and the folly of ambition.
Understanding Malvolio's Situation:
Malvolio is being manipulated by Maria and Sir Toby. They have planted a false letter that he believes is from Olivia, which leads him to act in ways that are contrary to his usual demeanor.
The mention of "yellow stockings" and "cross-gartered" refers to the ridiculous attire that Malvolio is convinced will win Olivia's affection. This attire is not only out of character for him but also something that Olivia would actually despise.
Key Phrase Analysis:
The phrase "deceived into doing things hated by Olivia" encapsulates Malvolio's predicament. He is tricked into believing that by dressing in a way that Olivia finds distasteful, he will win her love. This is a clear example of how he is being led to act against his own interests and the interests of Olivia.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect

A. Malvolio is greatly admired by Maria and Sir Toby:
This statement is incorrect because Maria and Sir Toby are actually mocking Malvolio. They do not admire him; rather, they find him pompous and are taking pleasure in his downfall. Their conversation is filled with sarcasm and ridicule, indicating that they do not hold him in high regard.
B. Malvolio's dress and bearing will please Lady Olivia very much:
This option is misleading. The entire plot revolves around the fact that Malvolio's ridiculous attire (yellow stockings and cross-gartered) is not what Olivia desires. In fact, she would be appalled by his appearance, which is why the trick is so effective. This statement contradicts the very essence of the deception.
D. Malvolio is a heathen and pendant:
While the term "heathen" is used in the text, it does not accurately reflect the main point of the situation. The focus is on Malvolio's gullibility and the deception he falls for, rather than a characterization of him as a heathen or a "pendant" (which refers to someone who is overly concerned with rules and propriety). This option does not capture the essence of the manipulation and the comedic elements of the scene.

Revision Summary

Malvolio is being deceived into acting in ways that are contrary to his character and disliked by Olivia.
The scene illustrates themes of deception, ambition, and the folly of self-importance.
Maria and Sir Toby are mocking Malvolio, not admiring him.
The ridiculousness of Malvolio's attire is central to the humor and plot of the deception.

This understanding of the text and the characters' motivations is crucial for grasping the comedic elements of Twelfth Night and the dynamics of social ambition and folly.