Sir Andrew Ague-Cheek
Encyclopedia
Sir Andrew Aguecheek is a comic character
in William Shakespeare
's play Twelfth Night, or What You Will
. Sir Andrew is a stereotypical fool, who is goaded into unwisely duelling with Cesario and who is slowly having his money pilfered by Sir Toby Belch
. His role in the play not only provides comedy through his pathetic situation and his slow speech, but also by his distinct, long-faced appearance and garish dress sense.
s, a significant amount and roughly equal to that of a skilled craftsman of the period, leading us to assume that he is a gentleman of some leisure. Ineptly, Sir Andrew attempts to court Olivia, and her rejection of him, in favour of dashing Cesario, prompts Sir Andrew to challenge Cesario to a duel. His slow-witted nature allows Sir Toby perfect opportunity to take advantage of him, even openly admitting that by playing to Sir Andrew's generosity and gullibility, he has milked him for approximately two-thirds of his stated salary. Sir Andrew fancies himself a great dancer and swordsman, and the scenes where he ineptly engages in these activities are points of physical comedy in the play. Sir Andrew's age is not made clear, but it is assumed that he is a number of years younger than Sir Toby.
Sir Andrew and Malvolio are probably the only characters whose situation at the end of the play is not as favourable as in the beginning. Amongst three happy couples and a humiliated Malvolio in the final scene, Sir Andrew has already made his closing exit, following Sir Toby's open insults toward him. Friendless and deep in debt, this ending echoes one of Sir Andrew's better known lines, from the third scene of the second act: "I was adored once too." The negative outcome for Sir Andrew, combined with his having been the subject of jokes and Sir Toby's greed, is a strain of melancholy in an otherwise comical play.
As one of the central supporting roles in Twelfth Night, Sir Andrew's character speaks a total of 152 lines and appears in seven of the eighteen scenes.
has been associated with the role of Sir Andrew.
Actors who have distinguished themselves in the role of Sir Andrew include Alec Guinness
, Paul Scofield
, and Christopher Plummer
.
Richard E. Grant
played the part in Trevor Nunn
's movie adaptation of Twelfth Night
, dancing dreadfully in front of Mel Smith
's Sir Toby, getting his sword caught in a branch of a tree and being kicked in the groin during his duel with "Cesario" (Imogen Stubbs
). When Maria (Imelda Staunton
) tricks Malvolio
(Nigel Hawthorne
) into wearing yellow stockings, she reveals to her fellow conspirators that "'tis a colour [my lady Olivia] abhors". They then turn to Sir Andrew who is wearing a yellow waistcoat
, tie and stockings. Like the others, however, he is allowed some dignity by kissing the hand of Olivia (Helena Bonham Carter
) before leaving her estate, his head held high.
's Second Sonata on Shakespearean Characters for guitar
, known as Royal Winter Music
.
Comic relief
Comic relief is the inclusion of a humorous character, scene or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work, often to relieve tension.-Definition:...
in William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
's play Twelfth Night, or What You Will
Twelfth Night, or What You Will
Twelfth Night; or, What You Will is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written around 1601–02 as a Twelfth Night's entertainment for the close of the Christmas season...
. Sir Andrew is a stereotypical fool, who is goaded into unwisely duelling with Cesario and who is slowly having his money pilfered by Sir Toby Belch
Toby Belch
Sir Toby Belch is a character in William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. He is considered one of William Shakespeare's finest comic characters, an ambiguous mix of high spirits and low cunning. He first appears in the play's third scene, when he storms onto the stage the morning after a hard night...
. His role in the play not only provides comedy through his pathetic situation and his slow speech, but also by his distinct, long-faced appearance and garish dress sense.
Background and character
Sir Andrew Aguecheek first appears in the third scene of Act I, as the so-called friend of Sir Toby Belch. Sir Andrew is a guest at the home of Sir Toby's niece Lady Olivia, where Sir Toby, a drunkard and glutton, resides. Although we are not made aware of Sir Andrew's family or connections, it is said that his annual income is 3,000 ducatDucat
The ducat is a gold coin that was used as a trade coin throughout Europe before World War I. Its weight is 3.4909 grams of .986 gold, which is 0.1107 troy ounce, actual gold weight...
s, a significant amount and roughly equal to that of a skilled craftsman of the period, leading us to assume that he is a gentleman of some leisure. Ineptly, Sir Andrew attempts to court Olivia, and her rejection of him, in favour of dashing Cesario, prompts Sir Andrew to challenge Cesario to a duel. His slow-witted nature allows Sir Toby perfect opportunity to take advantage of him, even openly admitting that by playing to Sir Andrew's generosity and gullibility, he has milked him for approximately two-thirds of his stated salary. Sir Andrew fancies himself a great dancer and swordsman, and the scenes where he ineptly engages in these activities are points of physical comedy in the play. Sir Andrew's age is not made clear, but it is assumed that he is a number of years younger than Sir Toby.
Sir Andrew and Malvolio are probably the only characters whose situation at the end of the play is not as favourable as in the beginning. Amongst three happy couples and a humiliated Malvolio in the final scene, Sir Andrew has already made his closing exit, following Sir Toby's open insults toward him. Friendless and deep in debt, this ending echoes one of Sir Andrew's better known lines, from the third scene of the second act: "I was adored once too." The negative outcome for Sir Andrew, combined with his having been the subject of jokes and Sir Toby's greed, is a strain of melancholy in an otherwise comical play.
As one of the central supporting roles in Twelfth Night, Sir Andrew's character speaks a total of 152 lines and appears in seven of the eighteen scenes.
Famous Performances
The Elizabethan actor John SinkloJohn Sinklo
John Sinklo was an English Renaissance theatre actor, known to be active between 1592-1604. He was a member of several playing companies, including Lord Strange's Men, Pembroke's Men, Lord Chamberlain's Men and the King's Men...
has been associated with the role of Sir Andrew.
Actors who have distinguished themselves in the role of Sir Andrew include Alec Guinness
Alec Guinness
Sir Alec Guinness, CH, CBE was an English actor. He was featured in several of the Ealing Comedies, including Kind Hearts and Coronets in which he played eight different characters. He later won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Colonel Nicholson in The Bridge on the River Kwai...
, Paul Scofield
Paul Scofield
David Paul Scofield, CH, CBE , better known as Paul Scofield, was an English actor of stage and screen...
, and Christopher Plummer
Christopher Plummer
Arthur Christopher Orne Plummer, CC is a Canadian theatre, film and television actor. He made his film debut in 1957's Stage Struck, and notable early film performances include Night of the Generals, The Return of the Pink Panther and The Man Who Would Be King.In a career that spans over five...
.
Richard E. Grant
Richard E. Grant
Richard E. Grant is a Swaziland-born British actor, screenwriter and director. His most notable role came in the film Withnail and I. He holds dual British and Swazi citizenship.-Early life:...
played the part in Trevor Nunn
Trevor Nunn
Sir Trevor Robert Nunn, CBE is an English theatre, film and television director. Nunn has been the Artistic Director for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre, and, currently, the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. He has directed musicals and dramas for the stage, as well as opera...
's movie adaptation of Twelfth Night
Twelfth Night: Or What You Will (1996 film)
Twelfth Night or What You Will is a 1996 British film adaptation of William Shakespeare's play, directed by Trevor Nunn and featuring an all-star cast. The adaptation is given a northern Central European feel, set in the late 19th century, with Orsino and his followers shown wearing Czapka...
, dancing dreadfully in front of Mel Smith
Mel Smith
Melvin Kenneth "Mel" Smith is an English comedian, writer, film director, producer, and actor. He is most famous for his work on the sketch comedy shows Not the Nine O'Clock News and Alas Smith and Jones along with his comedy partner Griff Rhys Jones.- Early life :Smith's father, Kenneth, was born...
's Sir Toby, getting his sword caught in a branch of a tree and being kicked in the groin during his duel with "Cesario" (Imogen Stubbs
Imogen Stubbs
Imogen Stubbs, Lady Nunn is an English actress and playwright.-Early life:Imogen Stubbs was born in Northumberland, lived briefly in Portsmouth, where her father was a naval officer, and then moved with her parents to London, where they lived on an elderly river barge on the Thames...
). When Maria (Imelda Staunton
Imelda Staunton
Imelda Mary Philomena Bernadette Staunton, OBE is an English actress. She is perhaps best known for her performances in the British comedy television series Up the Garden Path, the Harry Potter film series and Vera Drake...
) tricks Malvolio
Malvolio
Malvolio is the steward of Olivia's household in William Shakespeare's comedy, Twelfth Night, or What You Will.-Style:Malvolio's ethical values are commonly used to define his appearance.In the play, Malvolio is defined as a "kind of" Puritan...
(Nigel Hawthorne
Nigel Hawthorne
Sir Nigel Barnard Hawthorne, CBE was an English actor, perhaps best remembered for his role as Sir Humphrey Appleby, the Permanent Secretary in the 1980s sitcom Yes Minister and the Cabinet Secretary in its sequel, Yes, Prime Minister. For this role he won four BAFTA Awards during the 1980s in the...
) into wearing yellow stockings, she reveals to her fellow conspirators that "'tis a colour [my lady Olivia] abhors". They then turn to Sir Andrew who is wearing a yellow waistcoat
Waistcoat
A waistcoat or vest is a sleeveless upper-body garment worn over a dress shirt and necktie and below a coat as a part of most men's formal wear, and as the third piece of the three-piece male business suit.-Characteristics and use:...
, tie and stockings. Like the others, however, he is allowed some dignity by kissing the hand of Olivia (Helena Bonham Carter
Helena Bonham Carter
Helena Bonham Carter is an English actress of film, stage, and television. She made her acting debut in a television adaptation of K. M. Peyton's A Pattern of Roses before winning her first film role as the titular character in Lady Jane...
) before leaving her estate, his head held high.
Quotes
- but I am a great eater of beef, and I believe that does harm to my wit.' (1.3.85)
- Sir Andrew explains himself.
- Nay, let me alone for swearing (3.4.183)
- Sir Andrew's boast that he is an expert at cursing.
- He does it with a better grace, but I do it more natural (2.3.83)
- Sir Andrew Aguecheek compares his fooling with that of Sir Toby Belch.
- I was adored once too (2.3.171)
- The reference of this quote is unclear, but indicates sadness underneath his carefree and idiotic nature.
Cultural influence
'Sir Andrew Aguecheek' is the first part of Hans Werner HenzeHans Werner Henze
Hans Werner Henze is a German composer of prodigious output best known for "his consistent cultivation of music for the theatre throughout his life"...
's Second Sonata on Shakespearean Characters for guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, known as Royal Winter Music
Royal Winter Music
Royal Winter Music is the name given to two solo works for classical guitar by the German composer Hans Werner Henze.Both works are inspired by characters from Shakespeare. The first work was completed in 1976, and is in six movements...
.