Twelfth Night Identity Essay

What would it be like to identify as someone else, or even as a different gender? Thrilling yet confusing, and even troublesome, Twelfth Night’s (What you Will’s) theme of identity exists within the romantic comedy through various ways. As an essential subject establishing rich symbolism and imagery, the idea uses disguises, mistaken identity, and crafty characters’ which cause much confusion between the individuals of the story. Whether William Shakespeare set on to examine gender roles in his play, there certainly exists a connection to the history of Renaissance Theatre. At that time, it was males playing female roles (for women were forbidden to act) — and as such, Viola, portrayed a young man, disguised herself as a male Cesario. Through What You Will, the theme of identity

Immediately, the use of disguise causes much confusion. Within the great commotion of the play, it is created between the characters of the romantic comedy and drives this Shakespearian play forward. The theme of identity begins when a shipwrecked Viola disguises herself as a young eunuch (Cesario), to ensure her safety, support herself financially and to search for her lost (perhaps dead) brother Sebastian, whom she lost at sea. Her mission leads to her service, in costume, to Duke Orsino and being chosen as his messenger to “unfold the passion of [his] love” (Shakespeare, Twelfth Night 1.4.24) with Lady Olivia whom has yet to accept the Duke’s hand due to Cesario’s “lips [being] not more smooth and rubious. / [and] Thy small pipe /Is as the maiden’s organs, shrill and sound,” (Shakespeare, 1.4. 31-34). Duke Orsino’s gives us a vivid painting of what Cesario would have looked and sounded like: red, smooth lips and a high, clear voice. It is also ironic that Duke Orsino informs Cesario of “his” feminine nature because Cesario is not a man, but a woman. Therefore, when Viola is sent to Olivia by her master, she is a bit hesitant