Twelfth Night Identity Essay

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Recommended: Analyse a play Twelfth Night by Shakespeare

Understanding Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night “Above my fortunes, yet my state as well: I am a gentleman” (1.5.00). The Twelfth Night, Shakespeare’s this phrase said to Olivia from Viola make readers concerned and what to know more about Shakespeare’s way in developing identity and other themes in his characters. In understanding Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, one must explore the several themes that construct the play. Many take in elements of what a tragedy was like during Shakespeare’s time, while others played on the political commentary. Identity is one of the major themes explored because it’s one of the many confusing elements in the play, such as Viola playing as Cesario in order to find her brother. Exploring the themes of gender identity, love and self, danger of love and death readers will have a better understanding of the play. …show more content…

The beginning of Act 1 is where the readers learn that Viola and her brother had been separated by the shipwreck. Viola fears that her brother could be dead, so in order to change how Viola thinks she decides to go look for her brother in hopes of finding him. Yet, it’s not that easy Viola must take on a manly disguise so she can become a part of Orsino’s court. The disguise gets Viola (Cesario) the position and eventually Orsinio becomes fond of Cesario. The reasoning for gender bending in the Twelfth Night is that during Shakespeare’s time women didn’t have much of an influence in the world of men. Men would play the roles of women instead of women playing the roles which led some people to wonder about the sexuality of the characters and even Shakespeare himself. The gender bending of Viola is confusing because readers are unsure if Viola connects with being the women disguise a man. It’s definite that Viola played her role as Cesario well, not getting caught until the very

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