Twelfth Night Analysis

The idea of deception resonates from the definition of deceiving; to mislead by a false appearance or statement. Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night tells the story of a shipwreck survivor Viola, who disguises herself as her brother for a job on the Duke’s estate. Similarly, Some Like it Hot tells the story of two musicians Larry and Joe, who dress as women to join an all women’s jazz band, in order to escape their neighborhood mob. The theme of deception through appearance can apply to Some Like it Hot, which is a natural descendant of Twelfth Night.

Through the many forms of deception, self-deception, plays a main role in both works. Self-deception is the action of allowing oneself to believe that a false feeling, idea, or situation, is true.