Maria thoughts

1. Illyria is an island, ergo surrounded by water. So I keep thinking about the idea of this constant "ebb and flow" in the world of the characters, and of water's connotations in the characters' lives. Although I think Maria is an earth element, she has bits of water in her, which can be dark and brooding at times.

2. Ironically, this "third scene partner", drink, is both a friend and an enemy. While it consumes Toby, it also allows me to mother and take care of him.

3. Beckie and Amanda and I had a great conversation today. Olivia and Maria have a sort of sister-in-law relationship, but are not close; much like the idea of two people who bond out of necessity and location, rather than chemistry. We ellaborated on this idea of Beckie trying to make Maria be "the living dead" with her, by wearing black and mourning, etcetera. This is a helpful backstory and definitely informs Maria's breathing. Inside Olivia's room, she has shallow, mechanical breathing. Getting out into the rest of the house and world is such a SIGH (literally) of relief! Toby's spontaneity and enhtusiasm for living is an even GREATER relief! While I'm toying with the idea that Maria struggles with expressing affection, she does deeply love this joie de vie. Feste and Maria also have a history together. Feste is more well-liked by Olivia, so there is a bit of competition between them. However, they also recognize the need to defend each other, as Olivia has complete cont!
rol. This is why Maria offers to make an excuse for Feste (when she sees he has returned), but only if he lets her in on the secret of where he has been.