Twelfth Night

All characters are presented as victims of a need to hide from their true selves. Choose four characters and summarise briefly how this comment relates to them.

We are first introduced to Viola, one of the twins and central characters in this play. Going by the name of Cesario, she seeks to disguise herself in a man’s attire to assume the position of the Duke’s comrade, immediately conveying the notion of deception. In this manner, she illustrates that she does not deem herself fit to court the Duke as she is but believes that she needs to hide under the guise of a man in order to grow close to him. She hears of the Duke’s infatuation with Olivia and wills to serve her. This would provide her with a place of hiding until she is ready to let her identity be known but create the image that Viola believes herself to be inadequate in her present state.

Swearing to abstain from the company of men, Olivia is first presented as a remorseful individual whom the audience should pity. She undertakes this façade to hide what she truly seeks; love. Olivia may be regarded as a hypocritical and contradictory character because, just as quickly as she adopts the idea of mourning, does she abandon it, along with her morals. She is introduced to Cesario and is soon captivated by his charm and charisma. This is a clear indication that her lamentation is a mere pretence under which she hides before she discovers what she essentially desires.

Malvolio stumbles upon a letter intended to prank him. Maria, Sir Toby and Feste succeed in their foul horseplay and Malvolio is effectively under the impression that his madam, Olivia, adores him. The letter states that he should come to her with “cross-gartered stockings” among other ludicrous requests which she, apparently, fancies. This demonstrates that even Malvolio succumbs to his insecurities as he dons the many outfits and traipses about aiming to beguile Olivia. As well as being a victim of trickery, he also falls prey to the