Twelfth Night Gender Analysis

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night explores the idea of sexuality being fluid through cross-dressing and mistaken identities. There is a specific love triangle that really explores ideas that went against the societal norms of Shakespeare’s time. The love triangle occurs between Oliva, a noblewoman, Duke Orsino, and Viola, who is also disguised as a man named Cesario. Viola is in disguise as a man to work for Duke Orsino. The play progresses and Viola begins to fall for Orsino. However Orsino is in love with Olivia. Orsino sends Cesario/Viola over to Oliva’s home in attempts to “whoo” her. Olivia begins to fall for Cesario. Eventually everyone figures out that Viola is a woman because her twin, Sebastian enters the picture. However there are implications
He also states “Boy, thou hast said to me a thousand times Thou never shouldst love woman like to me.” Even when Orsino was unaware of Viola true identity she would still tell him that she loves him more than she could love any woman. There are also many implications to Olivia loving Viola regardless of her gender. Viola/Cesario states that Olivia is hiding who she really is, Olivia says that she thinks the same thing about her. Viola states “Then think you right: I am not what I am” to which Olivia replies “I would you were as I would have you be!” Olivia implies that she knows that Viola is not a man and that if she could make Viola a man she would. Olivia also takes a much more aggressive approach to getting a man. In act 3, scene 1, she begs Viola/Cesario to stay and really does fight for his loves as opposed to the man fighting for her. She also admits to planting the ring on Cesario so that he would return. Antonio can also be implied to have feelings for Sebastian, Viola’s twin. Antonio says “That most ingrateful boy there by your side, From the rude sea's enraged and foamy mouth Did I redeem; a wreck past hope he was: His life I gave him and did thereto add My love, without retention or