Analysis of the Characters in Twelfth Night

Viola also explains her love many times to Orsino, but in a way that he does not understand. Orsino does not realize that Viola/Cesario is a woman. Viola expresses her love for the Duke to Olivia as well. [Olivia] “Where lies your text? [Viola] In Orsino’s bosom. Olivia] In his bosom? In what chapter of his bosom? [Viola] To answer by the method, in this first of his heart. ” (I. V. 220-225) Viola tells Olivia that she loves Orsino, and is in his heart, but Olivia, thinking that Viola is a male, does not listen to her true message. Viola keeps her true identity very secret, but also lets other people think about her inner person, as she reveals some facts about herself. She also speaks in a different manner than most men around her, which makes her a bit different. She does not like to fight, and does not act like a drunk.

Viola/Cesario also speaks to Olivia about not loving a woman. Viola admits to Olivia that she is someone who cannot, and will not love another woman. Olivia, having fallen in love with Cesario/Viola, is blinded by love and does listen to Viola’s important words. As Viola tries to tell Olivia that she cannot love her, Olivia just falls even more in love, which creates much more confusion between them. Viola, being annoyed with Olivia’s stubborn character, says something that snaps Olivia out of her dream world.

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“Then think you right. I am not what I am. (III. I. 145-150) Viola hints to Olivia, as she did to Orsino, that she is different from her actual appearance. These characters, such as Olivia and Orsino, have gotten so caught up in their love, and search for love that they have caused confusion for all. Olivia’s and Orsino’s behaviour affects them personally. Olivia tries to convince Cesario/Viola to love her, but Viola, being intelligent, replies to Olivia. “I pity you. ” (III. I. 125-130) Viola explains her pity for Olivia, because she sees, how desperate Olivia is for love.

No man would have responded this way to a lady such as Olivia, which shows some more of Viola’s true personality and character. Viola has told Olivia her true feelings towards her, and partially reveals that she is not really a man, which creates a twist for Olivia’s point of view. Still, Olivia being blinded by love, and desperate for a man, does not interpret Viola’s message. Viola attempts to speak with Feste the fool, but even he does not fully understand her secret. Nor does he understand who is in love with whom.

Feste the fool is a wise clown, who has perfected his profession, yet does not realize when Viola /Cesario is trying to tell him something about her true character. The fool is also blinded by trickery and his own personality. Viola, whom everyone thinks to be Cesario – a servant for Orsino – is slowly unveiling her true personality and secret. No one seems to listen to her, thus causing many misunderstandings, odd occurring, and mysterious acts between the characters. [Fool] “Now Jove, in his next commodity of hair, send thee a beard! Viola] By my troth I’ll tell thee, I am almost sick for one, ‘aside’ though I would not have it grown on my chin. –” (III. I. 45-50) Viola tells Feste that she would not like a beard, but the truth is that she cannot grow one.

As Sebastian enters the next scene, and becomes a more involved character, he is important because his sister Viola looks very much like him. They are twins, so as other characters see them, their confusion rises, and more conflicts occur. Feste the fool does not realize who is who, when he is speaking to Viola/Cesario or Sebastian. Sebastian] “Go to, go to, thou art a foolish fellow. Let me be free of thee. [Fool] Well held out, i’ faith. No, I do not know you, nor am I not sent to you by my lady to bid you come speak with her, nor your name is not Master Cesario, nor this is not my nose neither. Nothing that is so is so. ” (IV. I. 5-10) Sebastian urges the fool to go on his way and not to bother him, but the fool, thinking that Sebastian is Master Cesario, tells Sebastian that Lady Olivia wants to speak with him. Sebastian does not know Olivia and is bewildered.

In this happening, more and more misunderstanding, uncertainty and disorder is occurring. Characters are blinded by their own needs, and are self centered. They do not listen to Viola as she tries to reveal her identity. She tells Orsino, Olivia and the fool, traits of herself that prove her to be a woman, but they are all dumbfounded. As this play unravels, the characters all find their true mate, or have ended up alone, and Viola gets reunited with her brother who was thought to have been lost in the shipwreck. Twelfth Night is a comedy and a marvellous play that will trick the minds of all.