12th Night Quotes

"I am the man." (2.2.25-Viola)

Viola realizes that Olivia, in believing that Viola is a man, has fallen in love with her. At first Viola finds this amusing but then realizes that this could potentially pose a rather large problem. She, being a woman is not capable of loving Olivia back so Viola is not entirely sure what she will do if Olivia decides to pursue her. Of course, this situation adds to the lunacy of the rest of the play, so while Viola becomes worried with this sudden realization that "she is the man" the audience finds it absolutely hilarious.

"and yet to crush it a little, it would bow to me..." (2.5.143-145-Malvolio)

Malvolio has just read a letter that he found. From reading it he can tell that it is a love letter that appears to have been written by Olivia but it is not very clear to whom the letter is addressed to, only the letters M, A, O, and I. Because Malvolio already believes that he, and only he, has what it takes to be master of the house, and because the letters M, A, O, and I are in his name, Malvolio is convinced that the letter is addressed to him. This shows Malvolio's overconfidence in himself which of course will get him into trouble later in the play. Malvolio does not quite understand his station in life. He is a servant which of course means that he is in a lower social class than Olivia which means that Olivia would never even think of him as a suitor.

Viola: Then think you right. I am not what I am.

Olivia: I would you were as I would have you be. (3.1.148-149)

In this scene Viola is trying to get away from Olivia who is starting to show that she has feelings for Viola, who she thinks is a man. Viola is trying to subtly hint to Olivia that she is really not a man and therefore does not have feeling for Olivia. Olivia is frustrated with this "man" who does not seem to be taken in by her charms and answers that she wishes Viola was what she wanted her to be.