Through William Shakespeare's life, he has made himself famous by writing plays using the theme of love and its disruptive affect on his characters. In Twelfth Night, this style is continued and this romantic comedy illustrates and explores the emotion of love. Three characters discover that love can cause pain, and each one must untangle themselves from the love triangle they are caught in before anyone can find who they truly care for.
             "If music be the food of love, play on..." (pg 17, Act I, Scene I) The Duke Orsino says this, convinced that he has an undying love for the Countess Olivia, when really he is blind to see that his emotions and feelings towards her are untrue, that he is more in love with the idea of love than Olivia herself. Orsino is a partially selfish character, and he devotes himself to an ideal joy of his infatuation and doesn't do very much to try and encourage his target of love. In turn, Olivia refuses to see Orsino, and decides to ignore him completely, thinking she is almost "too good" for Orsino. As the story progresses, Orsino doesn't realize another kind of love developing for him... friendship. Cesario (Viola) has come to Illyria virtually unknown, and even though Orsino and Cesario barely know each other in the beginning, Orsino rapidly begins telling Cesario of his love for Olivia, even having Cesario court her for him. Though still deceived by Viola (assuming she is Cesario), he gains respect and realizes how much he values their friendship.
             Meanwhile, Viola has fallen for Orsino. She struggles to hide her affection, while she is disguised as a man (to be able to work for the Duke in the first place), though she hopes at the same time to win his heart. As his servant, he has also asked her to send his messages of love to Olivia. On pg 22 of Act I, Scene IV, Viola reveals her true feelings for Orsino,
             ...