'Twelfth Night'

Letter from Maria to friend

by Richard Palk

Dear Richard,

I do wish I had gone to Kent with thee, but instead I remain here serving my Lady Olivia and slave to that drunken almost natural Sir Toby and his drinking partner Sir Andrew.

Ever since Olivia’s brother and father died I have felt alone as her ladyship is still mourning and sir Toby's drinking has got worse. What's worse is that lazy Sir Toby comes home drunk and noisy which disturbs her ladyships sleeping pattern, which results in her being moody the next day, I don’t know why she puts up with that fool! Feste’s no better as he’s picking up Sir Toby's drinking problem.

Even though her ladyship is an independent women she can’t fight all of her admires off as Orsino refuses to give up; as for Sir Andrew he still believes all the nonsense Sir Toby makes up about her ladyships liking for him. I think her ladyships heart has now been taken by Orsino’s messenger, Cesario, I think is his name.

The rather annoying thing I find about Sir Toby is the way he tries to act intelligently in front of Sir Andrew, who can speak four different languages fluently and earns around three thousand duckets a year (which he throws away on liquor and other junk.)

I think Sir Toby and Sir Andrew will both be better off when Sir Andrew leaves as Sir Toby will no longer have a drinking partner and may lay off what I believe will be the death of him. Also Sir Toby will not make a fool out of Sir Andrew anymore. Even though I’m always complaining about Sir Toby, I’ve taken quite a shine to him and maybe we might develop something of our flirtatious relationship; as for Sir Andrew, the coward, his many attempts to woo me just make him more of a turn off. Even though I’m only a cook I feel like I’m doing everything but maybe when you come down in June I’ll come to Kent with you.

Yours truly

Maria