Twelfth Night Olivia Compare And Contrast

In the play Twelfth Night, Shakespeare uses the characters of Viola and Olivia to show how love is being mocked when they show their true feelings toward one another; this is done through similarities and differences between both of the characters to emphasize the unrealistic idea behind genuine love.

A major similarity seen between both of the characters is that they both at some point have rejected love from another character. After Cesario arrives she mentions that she has arrived for Orsino’s behalf. In Olivia’s case she does not have romantic feelings for the Duke Orsino, “ I bade you never speak of him . . . I rather hear you to solicit that than music from the spheres” (III.i.110-113). Olivia confirms how she truly feels about Orsino when she tells Viola not to mention him. Olivia does not share any of the same feelings as Orsino has for her. She would rather hear Viola’s charming ways of discussing love in sophisticated,

Olivia does not try to hide how she feels about Viola. She is very direct and straightforward with confessing her love for Cesario. Viola reveals small hints to Olivia about her true identity causing her not to be as direct as Olivia. She states to Viola that she is madly in love with him, “ I love thee so, that, maugre all thy pride, nor wit nor reason my passion hide”(III.i.159-160). Olivia confesses her love for Cesario by revealing how she really feels about Viola. She is passionate with her decision and ready to be with Cesario. Viola mentions who she really is by stating, “ Then think you right. I am not what I am”(III.i.148). Viola does not directly reveal to Olivia that she is a woman, but she rather hints at it by stating that she is not who she says she is. Viola demonstrates her way of revealing her feelings by not directly stating them to Olivia. Unlike Olivia who can seem to contain herself because of how passionate her love