The questions left unanswered in Twelfth Night leave behind a haunting resonance of the reality of human frailty and error, long after the comic resolution of main characters and their themes have diminished in our consciousness of its importance. Much of the play's comic value comes from deceptive wit and it is common for the comedy to rely on various levels of understanding and knowledge on behalf of the audience, and between the characters. Shakespeare exposes different aspects of love and develops the main characters to an ending that seems to resolve the plot of the play. Yet their limitations on thinking and feeling about love are merely transferred to different objects of love and the reality of the love between the characters at the end of the play is not sufficiently buffeted against transience. The questions that are resolved at the end of Twelfth Night bring the play to resolution but at the same time leave themes unanswered and ongoing and the audience is forced to reflect on the themes for themselves. The abuse of Malvolio, the subtle rejection of Antonio and the impartiality of Feste are remarkable because, as the ostracised and unresolved characters in the play, they form a solemn reminder of reality amid the f
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Although Sebastian is the brother of the person with whom Olivia has fallen in love, the union is still between two people who do not know each other. Olivia's acceptance of Sebastian as her husband demonstrates that she is in love with the idea of Viola and not with Sebastian himself. He takes offence to the way in which Feste slanders her and is oblivious to that "There is no slander in an allowed fool. Then, rather than leaving his feelings as words, like Orsino who makes others do his work for him, Antonio decides to help Sebastian in Illyria despite the fact that he has "…many enemies in Orsino's court. 89), fits into the comic tone of the play, unlike Malvolio, yet his lack of real relationships means that he too is left outside the circle of characters of the play. 20-21) yet immediately afterwards agrees to marry Olivia. He is the unchanging character and is tragically beyond love or even friendship.
Malvolio is the central character who, like Antonio, has no inherent comic value. During the final scene Antonio is firstly dismissed by Orsino as "…thy words are madness" (5.
Antonio's love for Sebastian is one of the truest and most loyal in the play and for this reason his exclusion from the happiness at the conclusion of the play serves as a solemn reminder that life is not as it is in the comic site of Illyria. 40) Despite Antonio's good intentions he suffers from Viola's deception. 1 223) while the other characters are more preoccupied with finding out what is going on.
Approximate Word count =
2089
Approximate Pages =
8 (250 words per page double spaced)
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