Viola and Orsino in Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

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Viola and Orsino in Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

In William Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" there are several

relationships that develop throughout the play. Among the many

characters whose interaction and misunderstanding become the core of

the plot, Viola and Orsino have the most significant relationship. The

way they interact with one another causes the complex conflict of the

play, and as the conflict comes to be more complex the two characters

turn from strangers to friends and then to lovers.

In the first Act Viola and Orsino's interaction is on the level of two

complete strangers. From the beginning Viola is not honest with Orsino

because she disguises herself as a male page named Cesario in order to

get close to him. Orsino trusts Viola very quickly and sends Cesario

to declare his love for Olivia, the object of his affection. This

quick bond and trust for Cesario is the first example of their soon to

develop relationship. The mere fact that Orsino trusts Cesario with

his message of love is a transition from a stranger to a friend.

In act two the complexity of the relationship is taken to an all-new

level. Olivia falls in love with the page Cesario; meaning Viola has

landed herself in a tight spot between Orsino and Olivia. The newly

developed love triangle is now apart of the relationship between

Orsino and Viola despite the fact that Orsino knows nothing but the

façade Viola has conveniently blinded him with. In scene four of act

two there is a very important interaction between Viola and Orsino.

She tells him a love story about Cesario's sister the stories purpose

however is to pull his attention from Olivia. ...

... middle of paper ...

..., is Viola's love for

Orsino. Instead of leaving the country she was brought to and go back

home like any other person, she disguises as an eunuch, so she can

work for him. She would do anything to make him happy, even help him

get Olivia's love, just for him to notice her.

Shakespeare used many examples of excess in his writing, from the very

start of the first scene. His method of complications through the

excessiveness of the characters with each other, and adds excitement

and plot to the play. Shakespeare possibly had his own form of excess

in his life, of one thing or another, which is why he chose to use

this as a theme. In conclusion, I enjoy the use of excess in this

play, as it makes in more interesting to read, and I look forward to

reading the rest of the acts to find out what more complications

arise.

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