twelfth night play by william shakespeare

For example, when Cesario is asked to win Olivia’s love for the Duke, Olivia falls in love with Cesario instead. This fact entertains the audience in many scenes. The audience is well aware that Cesario is a woman but the rest of the characters in the play don’t know this. Humor is created when Viola asks the captain to “Conceal her of what she is” “to assure her own protection” (Roberts). Shakespeare uses mistaken identities to create humor. To understand “Twelfth Night,” one must know how mistaken identities create humor, how love affects the conflict, and the opposites Malvolio and Sir Toby represent. The central idea is often everyone falls in love. Cesario uncovers himself as Viola, and the Duke asks her to marry him, meanwhile Sir Toby and Maria get married. Sebastian, Viola’s twin brother who was also shipwrecked, makes an appearance and is led to marriage by Olivia who mistakes him for Cesario. One of Olivia’s men, Sir Andrew, challenges Cesario to a fight but he declines. The Duke wants Cesario to win Olivia’s love for him, however Olivia confesses her love for Cesario. Maria sends Malvolio love letters as if they were written by Olivia, leading Malvolio into believing that Olivia loves him but instead, makes a fool of himself.

Olivia’s servant, Maria, plays a prank on Malvolio. Viola, who was shipwrecked, assists the Duke by disguising herself as Cesario and ends up falling in love with the Duke. This play, mainly based on love, begins with Orsino trying to win Olivia’s love. However, cases of mistaken identity happen all the time! Have students check out these famous cases of mistaken identity, some serious and some silly, and discuss the cases.“Twelfth Night” is a play written by Shakespeare.

Likewise, they may also not understand why Malvolio is so gullible to Feste’s priest ruse. Likely, many students will not find Viola’s disguise so plausible that she fools so many people. Have students explore this unusual set of circumstances in Elizabethan Theatre. When theatre was in its infancy in England, women were not allowed to perform in plays because the profession was not deemed to be a credible one. The part of Viola was played by a teenage boy on Shakespeare’s stage, which adds to the plot twist of Viola being in disguise as Cesario throughout the play.

What is the difference between love and lust?.

What kinds of disguises do people put on each day for the world? Why?.

When is it acceptable to deceive someone?.

What is true love, and how does one know they are in love?.

How important is our society’s definition of gender?.

Twelfth night play by william shakespeare