Maria warns Sir Toby that his niece Olivia does not approve of his drinking and that Sir Andrew is a fool.
Maria wants Sir Toby to be careful. In this scene, Maria is reminding Toby that he should not stay out all night carousing. This is her job as Olivia’s lady in waiting, but she also cares about him. Sir Toby, Olivia’s uncle, has a tendency to drink too much and likes to have a good time. Maria tries to help him out.
MARIA
By my troth, Sir Toby, you must come in earlier o'
nights: your cousin, my lady, takes great
exceptions to your ill hours.SIR TOBY BELCH
Why, let her except, before excepted.
MARIA
Ay, but you must confine yourself within the modest limits of order. (Act 1, Scene 3)
Maria also warns Sir Toby about his friend and fellow troublemaker, Sir Andrew. Sir Andrew Auguecheek and Sir Toby Belch are peas in a pod. Andrew has been staying with Toby and getting drunk with him. Maria tries to tell Toby that Andrew is trouble.
MARIA
He hath indeed, almost natural: for besides that
he's a fool, he's a great quarreller: and but that
he hath the gift of a coward to allay the gust he
hath in quarrelling, 'tis thought among the prudent he would quickly have the gift of a grave. (Act 1, Scene 3)
Maria humors Andrew, because as much as she feels he is a moocher, she enjoys hanging out with Sir Toby. Andrew is a fool, but he is fun. Maria takes part in the drinking and singing with both of them, despite what she said.
In fact, Maria and Sir Toby have a little fling going on. She may be warning him, but she takes part in the merrymaking just the same because she likes to have a good time. Even though he is above her station, they marry by the end of the play.
Maria's motivation is that she cares about Sir Toby and enjoys hanging around him. The two of them are witty and have fun together. Maria's trick on Malvolio is a good example of how she and Sir Toby think alike. They like to make fun of the straight-laced Malvolio, who really does feel that Sir Toby is too loud and obnoxious.
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