Maria's Decisions Depicted In The Great Gatsby By William Shakespeare

Regardless of social standing love can make people act crazy. When one uses another to find love, suffering and disorder is bound to happen. Maria helps to develop this theme by her actions against Malvolio to get with Sir Toby. Maria acts cunning and witty to get with Sir Toby because Maria wants to have a higher social standing. Maria likes to have control, so when she is disrespected, her manipulative nature comes out to control other characters with no concern for their feelings. Maria’s rash decisions and lack of problem solving skills have put other characters into awkward situations and caused suffering. Maria’s manipulative nature causes her to make decisions without concern for others which results in suffering for those around her.

Maria’s concern for Sir Toby is driven by her desire to win him over in order to gain a higher social standing. Sir Toby and Sir Andrew are drinking late at night when Maria comes to say, “Ay, but you must confine yourself within the modest limits of order” (1.3.7-8). Maria’s statement to Sir Toby illustrates her concern for Sir Toby, Maria doesn’t want to see Sir Toby in trouble because she wants to marry him. Maria wants to be with Sir Toby as he is a higher rank and therefore if she marries him she will move up in social standings. This develops Maria’s character to be manipulative as she controls others. Furthermore Maria cannot handle being embarrassed in front of Sir Toby so she gets aggravated, this illustrates her lack of poise. Sir Toby and Sir Andrew are up late drinking again, when Maria comes down to warn them of Malvolio coming, then Malvolio comes and says to Maria, “ Mistress Mary, if you prized my lady’s favour at anything more than contempt, you would not give means for this unveil rule. She shall know of it, by this hand” (2.3.114-117). Maria is trying to get Sir Toby to like her. When Malvolio talks down to Maria, it discourages Sir Toby to like her because she is not standing up for herself. Maria knows that Sir Toby wants someone who can stand up for themselves, so she gets aggravated. The only way for Maria to develop her relationship with Sir Toby is showing him that

Maria acts tricky to others for her own gain that shows her selfishness. Malvolio is reading the fake love letter and is failing for the trick, when Sir Toby says behind the bushes “ I could marry this wench for this device” (2.5.172). Sir Toby is starting to fall in love with Maria, which is what Maria wanted. This develops Maria’s character to be selfish and greedy as she sacrifices Malvolio’s feelings to get closer to someone else. Furthermore, Maria’s manipulative nature is illustrated through her actions when she uses her knowledge of personal preferences others have. The letter fools Malvolio, Maria explains that “He will come to her in yellow stockings, and ‘tis a color she abhors; and cross-gartered, a fashion she detests” (2.5.190). Maria likes to have control. When Malvolio disrespects Maria she doesn’t have control anymore, so she takes away his control by manipulating him. Also this illustrates how clever she is, she knows what Olivia does not like and uses it against Malvolio to make him look like a fool. This develops her character to be very manipulative and controlling. She sacrifices Malvolio’s feelings for her own pleasure and ability to control. In addition, Maria’s manipulation side illustrates that her concern for others is low. Maria enters the room with great news, she says “ I can hardly forbear hurling things at him. I know my lady will strike him”