Examples Of Narcissism In Twelfth Night

Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night is set in a kingdom in Illyria, an imaginary place. Illyria is representing a place on the Adriatic coast, a place Elizabethans knew nothing about and this is also a place you would never find most Londoners. This setting is mysterious and not only that the fact that they are in a foreign place makes this the ideal setting for Shakespeare. Illyria resembles hollywood in many ways, for example there are a lot of rich wealthy people living in one town, with their love affairs being aired like television soap operas. Shakespeare develops a theme of foolishness through the character Malvolio, whose arrogant fantasies and self-centered adjustments show that narcissism can overpower common sense. Malvolio’s arrogant

During the disagreement between Viola and Orsino, Orsino recalls “There is no woman’s sides Can bide the beating of so strong a passion as love doth give my heart; no woman’s heart So big, to hold so much; they lack retention.” This remark by Orsino conveys his narcissism. He is so full himself he believes his love is one that cannot compare to some woman’s. Orsino concludes that a woman can not physically take changes of emotion, that they are too weak. This senseless thought connects to the theme of foolishness throughout the passage. Orsino is so foolish and egocentric he fails to see that a woman can love just like a man. Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to display that Orsino’s beliefs are stereotypical and that love has no strength among gender. Cesario gives hints throughout the story that he is a woman and that she loves Orsino, however, Orsino’s stupidity leaves him blind to see that. Orsino is oblivious to his of his admiration which creates irony. Orsino’s blindness connects to the foolishness that is displayed for the duration of the novel. He is too stuck on Olivia to realize that he has an admirer of his on. Viola’s remark shows that a woman can love a man with strong emotion, as she loves Orsino. Although Orsino’s foolishness holds him back from seeing

In Olivia’s encounter of Viola/Cesario, Olivia admitted her love for Viola, Olivia knows that Viola/Cesario does not love her and she is accepting the fact that she cannot have “him.” Though Olivia is accepting that Viola/Cesario does not love her, she still tries the flatter him. Olivia tries to ingratiate herself with Viola by telling “him” that he is handsome and that whoever his wife shall be will be lucky. This blandishment not only displays that Olivia loves Viola and Viola doesn’t love her back, but it also shows the resentment Olivia has in believing it. Viola uses enemy to show that Olivia is really her competition for Orsino. Viola believes that pity is not to care for someone so she infers that she does not care for Olivia. Viola seeing Olivia as an enemy shows the bitterness she has about Orsino’s love for Olivia. Viola’s yearning for Orsino’s love created an enmity between Viola and Olivia. Viola will not accept the fact that Orsino does not love