The Shakespeare Quest

 I really caught the comedy in the last bit of Act II in Twelfth Night.  Sir Toby, Lady Olivia's drunken relative, was insulted by a servant named Malvolio, and joined with several servants to play a trick on him.  It's really clever how Shakespeare built up the joke, for Malvolio takes a tortuously long time to be tricked.  In the RSC's production, Sir Toby, his friend and one of the servants are in the background, desperate for Malvolio to finally fall for it, and I have to say I laughed out loud.   In another interesting note, a really well-known quotation is in this act:  'some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them'.  Again, it is taken out of context when most people quote it, and that makes it seem very solemn and noble.  In the scene, it is part of the false letter given to Malvolio to make him think Lady Olivia is in love with him.  He takes it to mean that greatness will be thrust upon ...

 Quick update on my quest.  I am now nearly through Act II of Twelfth Night, and feeling much the same as I do when about two-thirds through a murder mystery.  Please, no more complications!  Just sort it all out already!   I also found another well-known quotation for which I didn't have context til now:  'journeys end in lovers meeting'.  In the play, it's part of a song sung by a clown, but even as the clown jokes and jests, these words have a sweet and simple poignancy.  I always thought them very sad for some reason, and the context seems to support that.  The clown is trying to sing a love song, but there is no love there to sing with him. One more note.  Is it cheating to watch the play while you read it?  I find it almost essential when it comes to Shakespeare's comedies, because it's often only in the delivery and staging that anything is funny. When you watch them, some of the quick-witted humour comes through, and yo...