How does William Shakespeare use the concept of disguise in Twelfth Night
William Shakespeare’s "Twelfth Night" is a play
full of disguises and mistaken identities that lead to confusion, deception,
and ultimately, love. The theme of disguise is used throughout the play to
explore different aspects of human nature, such as love, desire, jealousy, and
identity. In this essay, we will discuss how Shakespeare uses the concept of
disguise in "Twelfth Night."
The play opens with a shipwreck that separates Viola, the
protagonist, from her twin brother, Sebastian. Viola assumes that her brother
has died in the shipwreck and decides to disguise herself as a man named
Cesario to enter the service of Duke Orsino. This disguise allows her to work
closely with the Duke and get to know him better, even as she falls in love
with him.
The first way in which Shakespeare uses the concept of
disguise is to explore the nature of love. Duke Orsino is in love with Olivia,
but his love is unrequited. He sends Cesario, who is actually Viola in
disguise, to woo Olivia on his behalf. Olivia, however, falls in love with
Cesario instead of the Duke, who is her suitor. The fact that Olivia falls in
love with Cesario even though she knows that he is a woman in disguise shows
that love is not just about physical attraction, but also about personality,
wit, and charm. This also shows how Shakespeare subverts gender norms and plays
with the idea of sexual identity.
How does William Shakespeare use the concept of disguise in Twelfth Night:-Viola's disguise also allows her to explore her own
sexuality. As Cesario, Viola finds herself falling in love with Duke Orsino.
The Duke, on the other hand, is attracted to Cesario, whom he believes to be a
man. Viola's disguise allows her to express her love for the Duke in a way that
she would not be able to as a woman. She can speak more freely, share her
thoughts and feelings, and be closer to the Duke. This raises the question of
whether love is truly gendered or whether it is a feeling that transcends
gender.
The second way in which Shakespeare uses the concept of
disguise is to explore the nature of desire. Olivia's decision to mourn for
seven years after the death of her brother is a disguise that she uses to hide
her true desires. When she meets Cesario, she becomes attracted to him because
he represents something new and exciting in her life. She is no longer
mourning, but she is not ready to commit to a relationship either. This shows
how desire can be both intense and fleeting, and how it can lead people to act
in ways that are not always rational.
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The third way in which Shakespeare uses the concept of
disguise is to explore the nature of identity. When Viola disguises herself as
Cesario, she takes on a new identity that allows her to explore different
aspects of her personality. She is no longer just a woman, but also a man, and
this allows her to see the world from a different perspective. In a similar
way, Sebastian's appearance in Illyria also allows him to explore different
aspects of his identity. He is able to assume a new identity and start a new
life, free from the expectations of his past.
How does William Shakespeare use the concept of disguise in Twelfth Night:-The theme of disguise also leads to many cases of mistaken
identity throughout the play. For example, when Sebastian arrives in Illyria,
he is mistaken for Cesario, leading to confusion and chaos. This confusion is
resolved when Viola appears in her own identity, revealing that she is not, in
fact, the man that everyone believes her to be.
Twelfth
Night “Summary”
"Twelfth Night" is a comedic play written by
William Shakespeare, believed to have been written around 1601-1602. It is one
of Shakespeare's most famous comedies and is known for its mistaken identities,
romantic entanglements, and witty wordplay.
The play is set in the fictional kingdom of Illyria and
follows the story of Viola, a young woman who is shipwrecked and separated from
her twin brother, Sebastian. Viola assumes that her brother has drowned and
decides to disguise herself as a man named Cesario in order to find employment
in the court of Duke Orsino.
How does William Shakespeare use the concept of disguise in Twelfth Night:-Viola, as Cesario, quickly becomes a favorite of Duke Orsino
and is tasked with delivering messages of love to Olivia, a wealthy countess,
on behalf of the Duke. However, Viola finds herself falling in love with
Orsino, while Olivia becomes infatuated with Cesario, who she believes to be a
man.
Meanwhile, Sebastian, who survived the shipwreck, arrives in
Illyria and is mistaken for Cesario by various characters, leading to several
cases of mistaken identity and confusion. Sebastian encounters Olivia, who mistakes
him for Cesario and promptly proposes marriage to him. Sebastian, who is
unaware of Cesario's existence, is puzzled but agrees to marry Olivia, thinking
she must be mistaken.
How does William Shakespeare use the concept of disguise in Twelfth Night:-As the plot thickens, other characters also get involved in
the romantic entanglements. Sir Toby Belch, Olivia's uncle, and Sir Andrew
Aguecheek, a friend of Sir Toby, scheme to win Olivia's affections and provoke
the strict and puritanical steward Malvolio. They convince Maria, Olivia's
maid, to write a fake letter, supposedly from Olivia, expressing her love for
Malvolio and her desire for him to behave in ridiculous ways to prove his love.
Malvolio, who is obsessed with the idea of marrying Olivia and becoming a
nobleman, falls for the trap and becomes the laughingstock of the household.
In the midst of all the mistaken identities and romantic
confusion, Viola's twin brother, Sebastian, reappears in Illyria. Mistaken for
Cesario, he finds himself in a series of misunderstandings and is even
challenged to a duel by Sir Andrew, who believes he has been deceived by
Cesario. However, when Viola and Sebastian finally meet, the truth is revealed,
and the mistaken identities are resolved.
How does William Shakespeare use the concept of disguise in Twelfth Night:-In the end, Duke Orsino realizes that he actually loves
Viola, who reveals her true identity as a woman. Olivia, who has been
infatuated with Cesario (Viola), realizes that she truly loves Sebastian.
Malvolio, after being humiliated by the fake letter, vows revenge on all those
who mocked him. However, he is eventually released from his confinement, and
the play ends with characters coming together, and relationships resolved.
"Twelfth Night" is a comedic play that explores
themes of love, mistaken identity, gender roles, and the folly of human
behavior. The characters' mistaken perceptions and the misunderstandings that
arise from them create a comedic atmosphere and lead to humorous situations.
The play also challenges traditional gender roles, as Viola disguises herself
as a man and challenges the societal norms of the time. The theme of love is
explored through the multiple romantic entanglements, with characters falling
in love at first sight, experiencing unrequited love, and navigating the
complexities of romantic relationships.
Additionally, "Twelfth Night" delves into the theme
of social class and the division between the nobility and the lower classes.
FAQ.
Q: What is the significance of the title "Twelfth
Night"?
A: The title "Twelfth Night" refers to the twelfth
night of Christmas, which was traditionally a night of revelry and celebration.
In Shakespeare's time, it was customary to have a feast and entertainment on
Twelfth Night, and this is reflected in the play's themes of love, trickery,
and disguise.
Q: What is the main plot of "Twelfth Night"?
A: The main plot of "Twelfth Night" revolves around
Viola, who disguises herself as a man named Cesario and enters the service of
Duke Orsino. The Duke is in love with the Countess Olivia, but his love is
unrequited. Viola/Cesario is sent to woo Olivia on his behalf, but Olivia falls
in love with Cesario instead. Meanwhile, a subplot involving Sir Toby Belch,
Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and Olivia's maid Maria involves a prank played on
Olivia's steward, Malvolio.
Q: What are the major themes of "Twelfth Night"?
A: The major themes of "Twelfth Night" include
love, gender roles, identity, and mistaken identity. The play explores the ways
in which people are influenced by their perceptions of gender and how they can
be deceived by appearances.
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