Twelfth Night Deception Essay
‘I am not what I am’: How does Shakespeare present the notions of disguise and deception in Twelfth Night?
The majority of Shakespeare’s comedies include disguises, which in itself entails deception. Shakespeare’s intention for deception was primarily for humour for example, Measure for Measure and As You Like It. In TWELFTH NIGHT the deception is based on the disguise which causes mistaken gender identity (Viola disguising herself to survive), inappropriate love affiliations (Olivia/Cesario) and initially unrequited love (Viola/Orsino). Shakespeare intended for deception to be in good humour: in TWELFTH NIGHT however, it could be argued that the disguise and deception takes a darker quality when the sub-plot characters begin to deceive Malvolio, the exploration of gender roles and the use of disguise to facilitate revelations of character traits.
Disguise and deception in IV:ii has three main purposes; to create humour with the barriers of gender, a dark quality where by the disguise and deception is used as a form of punishment and a comic extension of gulling Malvolio, ‘Out, hyperbolical fiend!’ continuing with the façade …show more content…
Viola replies, ‘Of your complexion’ to a question of who she loves. Orsino being egotistic interprets this as his wealth, age and status. It does not cross his mind that a ‘man’ could fall in love with him. This shows the comedy of falling in love and it not being reciprocated. Even though Viola experiences the freedoms of being a man, there are limitations, she cannot freely express her love to the man she loves. This demonstrates comic form of dramatic irony, ensuring the audience sees the humour when both protagonists are in an awkward situation. I:iv shows that Viola’s love is unrequited, having to ‘Whoe'er I woo, myself would be his wife.’ Allowing audiences to feel sympathetic towards
The majority of Shakespeare’s comedies include disguises, which in itself entails deception. Shakespeare’s intention for deception was primarily for humour for example, Measure for Measure and As You Like It. In TWELFTH NIGHT the deception is based on the disguise which causes mistaken gender identity (Viola disguising herself to survive), inappropriate love affiliations (Olivia/Cesario) and initially unrequited love (Viola/Orsino). Shakespeare intended for deception to be in good humour: in TWELFTH NIGHT however, it could be argued that the disguise and deception takes a darker quality when the sub-plot characters begin to deceive Malvolio, the exploration of gender roles and the use of disguise to facilitate revelations of character traits.
Disguise and deception in IV:ii has three main purposes; to create humour with the barriers of gender, a dark quality where by the disguise and deception is used as a form of punishment and a comic extension of gulling Malvolio, ‘Out, hyperbolical fiend!’ continuing with the façade …show more content…
Viola replies, ‘Of your complexion’ to a question of who she loves. Orsino being egotistic interprets this as his wealth, age and status. It does not cross his mind that a ‘man’ could fall in love with him. This shows the comedy of falling in love and it not being reciprocated. Even though Viola experiences the freedoms of being a man, there are limitations, she cannot freely express her love to the man she loves. This demonstrates comic form of dramatic irony, ensuring the audience sees the humour when both protagonists are in an awkward situation. I:iv shows that Viola’s love is unrequited, having to ‘Whoe'er I woo, myself would be his wife.’ Allowing audiences to feel sympathetic towards