Twelfth Night1
In Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night", it is clearly evident that the fluctuation in attitude to the dual role and situation and tribulations imposed upon the character ofViola/Cesario ends up in a better understanding of both sexes, and thus, allows Viola to have a better understanding for Orsino. Near the opening of the play, when Violais adopting her male identity, she creates another self, like two masks and may decide to wear one or the other while swinging between the two dentities in emotion and incharacter. She decides to take on this identity because she has more freedom in society in her Cesario mask, which is evident when she is readily accepted by Orsino,whereas, in her female identity she would not be. Thus, a customary role in society and to the outlooks of others is portrayed. Orsino sees Cesario, as a young squire juststarting out in the world, much like himself as a young, spry lad, so he has a tendency to be more willing to unload onto her with his troubles and sorrows, seeking acompanion with which to share and to teach. Thus, Viola grows in her male disguise to get a better feeling for his inner self, not the self that heshows to the public, orwould reveal and share with Viola in he
Then she agrees with her decision, and sends for Malvolio, in hope that he may recall Cesario, sothat she may talk with him again. But, Cesario does not possess the same sentiments for Olivia as he says:By innocence I swear, and by my youth, I have one heart, one bosom and one truth, And thatno woman has; nor never none shall mistress be of it, save I alone. As well she acquired the skill to bide her time, until the time was right, lest she reveal her true self or intentions. (224)This verifies that Olivia is profoundly in love with Cesario, despite all his pride. Olivia feels a strong passionate love for Cesario, even though it was love at first sight for her. r true female self, but rather his secret self, as he believes he shares with a peer. You shall fromthis time be your master's mistress (237)This is sort of a switching love as he thought he was in love with Olivia in the beginning, but, he readily switches his love to Viola, as he feel she knows her personalitywell. He first forgives her/him of her/his duty tohim, the master; then says that she shall now be her master's mistress:Your master quits you; and for your servicedone him, so much against the mettle of yoursex, so far beneath your soft and tenderbreeding, and since you call'd me master forso long, here is my hand. She agrees with hisresponse, then goes over his many delightfulfeatures, and wonders how she so quickly has caught the plague of love for young Cesario. (206) This quote shows that he knowsthat he is so caught up in "love", that he hopes his appetite for love may simmer when he takes more than he can handle. Cesario presented (himself) verymagnificently and left a lasting impression in Olivia's mind. His entire world is filled with love but he knows that there might be a turning point for him,like when he says: If music be the food of love, play on; give me excess of it, that, surfeiting, the appetite may sicken, and so die. As for Viola, she declares her love for Orsino many times, as if by saying that she would love him if she were a lady. (210) This shows that Viola knows what a difficult situation that she is in, and that she might try to woo her out of loving Orsino, so that she might have him for herself;except there is a slight, unexpected twist of fate.
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