SEBASTIAN                            What is it thou didst say?

This is a strange repose, to be asleep

With eyes wide open—standing, speaking, moving,

And yet so fast asleep.

ANTONIO                               Noble Sebastian,

Thou let’st thy fortune sleep—die rather; wink’st

Whiles thou art waking.

SEBASTIAN                                        Thou dost snore distinctly.

There’s meaning in thy snores.

ANTONIO       I am more serious than my custom. You

Must be so too, if heed me, which to do

Trebles thee o’er (2.1.212-221)

This phase of the scene perhaps explains, perhaps even excuses, dramaturgically, that interminable point-scoring banter earlier on. These two have been sort-of allies, a well-rehearsed double-act, but superficial, their energies directed outwards, at the weaknesses of others (albeit to impress each other) rather than apparently expressing any kind of trust or friendship. Sebastian’s attention is caught, but he’s being cautious, guarded, still maintaining a bit of humour: are you sure you’re not asleep? Surely you are – it’s just that, weirdly, your eyes are open and you’re standing and speaking and moving. (Compare the Doctor and the Gentlewoman, of Lady Macbeth: ‘her eyes are open … but their sense is shut’, 5.1.) He’s letting Antonio make all the running, pushing him into being more explicit. And Antonio is, albeit still obliquely. You’re letting your fortune, your lucky chance sleep – not just sleep, die; it’s as if your eyes are winking, closed, asleep, while you’re awake. Do you not see the opportunity that’s presented itself, that’s here, right in front of you, before your very eyes? Sebastian still being cautious, jokey: if you’re asleep, then there’s meaning, clear meaning, in your snoring. I begin to catch your drift. I’m not joking, says Antonio, I’m being more serious than I usually am. You need to be serious too, if you do what I’m suggesting – and doing it– that thing that he hasn’t yet fully articulated, but which they both understand – will make Sebastian three times greater, will elevate his position enormously. And they’ve switched into verse. For all their dancing around each other, the deliberately light tone – they’re deadly, deadly serious. They don’t trust each other; they have to make sure of each other before they fully articulate what they both fully know they’re talking about. These nasty, scheming men.