Maria (Twelfth Night)

Maria
Maria (second from right) giggling while Malvolio demonstrates his yellow stockings to his lady Olivia. Painting by Johann Heinrich Ramberg.
Creator	William Shakespeare
Play	Twelfth Night, or What You Will

Maria is a fictional character in the play Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. She is a servant in Olivia's household.

Connections with other characters

• Maria is Olivia's lady and employee
• Sir Toby Belch is Maria's lover and eventual husband
• Malvolio is the steward in Olivia's household and therefore Maria's supervisor

Quotes

• By my troth, Sir Toby, you must come in earlier a' nights: Your cousin, my lady, takes great exceptions to your ill hours.
  • Maria explaining to Sir Toby that her lady is not fond of her uncle's behaviour (Act 1, Scene 3).
• Nay, either tell me where thou hast been, or I will not open my lips so wide as a bristle may enter, in way of thy excuse. My lady will hang thee for thy absence.
  • Maria scolding Feste for being absent from the household (Act 1, Scene 5).
• I can write very like my lady your niece: on a forgotten matter we can hardly make distinction of our hands.
  • Maria conspiring with Sir Toby to write a letter that would fool Malvolio (Act 2, Scene 3).
• Go shake your ears!
  • Maria insulting Malvolio
• Get him to say his prayers, good Sir Toby, get him to pray.
  • Maria egging on Sir Toby to annoy Malvolio.

Performers

Year	Media	Performer
1869	Broadway	Fannie Davenport
1905	Broadway	Zeffie Tilbury
1910	Film	Marin Sais
1939	Television	Lucille Lisle
1949	Broadway	Ruth Enders
1955	Film	Anna Lisyanskaya
1957	Television	Micheline Luccioni
1963	Off-Broadway	Peggy Pope
1969	Off-Broadway	Jennifer Darling
1970	Television	Raph Wolfs
1972	Television	Jet Naessens
1974	Television	Anne Stallybrass
1980	Television	Annette Crosbie
1987	Film	Tracy Harvey
1988	Television	Abigail McKern
1996	Film	Imelda Staunton
1999	Off-Broadway	Dana Slamp
2003	Television	Maureen Beattie
2009	Off-Broadway	Julie White
2012	Off-Broadway	Katie Alto

References

• Guide to Twelfth Night
• Analysis of Major Characters in Twelfth Night
• Summary of Twelfth Night and Characters