Sport Royal

Maria: Sport royal, I warrant you. (II, iii, 170)

Maria states this while she is discussing the plot against Malvolio with Sir Andrew and Sir Toby. When she says, "sport royal" she is basically saying lets play! Maria, convinced that she will trick Malvolio with this letter is going to set Andrew, Toby and the Fool in the place where she is planting the letter in order to observe Malvolio's reaction. The three of them are going to watch to see if Malvolio has fallen for this deception. This is all part of being spectators in the game of love. Maria has stirred up a pot full of this game to trick Malvolio. When Maria is discussing this plan Sir Andrew and Toby seem excited for what is about to come. Almost as if there excited to watch a Super Bowl! The line before Maria’s above statement, Andrew excitedly states, “O, ‘twill be admirable!” This helps demonstrate that to them this is all a sport. Malvolio who was not originally involved in the game of love is now being tricked into it. He too will be tangled in loves mess and will be the center of the show for Maria, Andrew and Toby. Maria’s letter will ultimately lead Malvolio into being the loser of his own game.