Viola, a character from Shakespeare's play "Twelfth Night," is a complex and dynamic individual who undergoes significant personal growth throughout the course of the play.
At the beginning of the play, Viola is introduced as a young woman who has recently been shipwrecked on the shores of Illyria. She is separated from her twin brother, Sebastian, and is forced to fend for herself in a foreign and unfamiliar land. In order to survive and protect herself, Viola decides to disguise herself as a man and take on the role of a page boy, calling herself "Cesario."
As Cesario, Viola becomes a servant to Duke Orsino and is tasked with delivering messages of love to the Countess Olivia on his behalf. However, Viola quickly becomes drawn to Orsino and begins to fall in love with him, despite the fact that he is unaware of her true identity. This creates a complex and confusing situation for Viola, as she must navigate her own feelings for Orsino while also trying to fulfill her duties as his servant.
Despite the challenges she faces, Viola remains a strong and resilient character throughout the play. She is clever and resourceful, using her wit and intelligence to find her way in Illyria and to protect herself from danger. She also demonstrates great compassion and empathy towards others, particularly towards Olivia, who is grieving the loss of her brother.
As the play progresses, Viola's true identity is eventually revealed, and she is able to reunite with her brother Sebastian. This marks a significant turning point in the play, as Viola is finally able to be her true self and to fully express her feelings for Orsino. In the end, Viola is able to marry Orsino and find happiness, having overcome the challenges and obstacles that she faced in Illyria.
Overall, Viola is a complex and multi-faceted character who undergoes significant personal growth throughout the course of "Twelfth Night." Through her intelligence, resilience, and compassion, she is able to navigate the difficult circumstances she faces and emerge stronger and more confident in her own identity.
Viola Monologue (Act 2, Scene 2)
VIOLA A little, by your favor. She made good view of me; indeed, so much, That sure methought her eyes had lost her tongue, For she did speak in starts distractedly. Leslie McMurtry Leslie holds a PhD in English and a M. Viola, the intelligent and resourceful heroine of the play, washes up on the shores of Illyria after a shipwreck. Lesson Summary The protagonist of William Shakespeare's comedy Twelfth Night is Viola, a noblewoman who is shipwrecked and must pretend to be a male page in order to find employment.
Viola in Twelfth Night: Character Traits & Analysis
God forbid my appearance made her attracted to me. A monologue from the play by William Shakespeare VIOLA I left no ring with her. Several characters in the play take on roles that do not agree with their personalities. Misinterpretations as well as false presentation of reality are both common occurrences within the characters. ORSINO Too old, by heaven.
Viola And Olivia In William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
My master loves her dearly, And I, poor monster, fond as much on him, 35 And she, mistaken, seems to dote on me. I saw him put down the other day with an ordinary fool that has no more brain than a stone. She is a young woman of Messaline. Finally, while this speech might be performed to nobody in the play or the audience , think about a scene partner for Viola to speak to. MARIA Sir Toby, madam, your kinsman.
Viola's Character Traits Viola is first introduced to the audience as a female as well as the protagonist, or main character in the play. Viola Character Traits Viola is dynamic and complex as far as female Shakespearean characters go. Her film credits include Adoration Adore , starring Robyn Wright and Naomi Watts, Tracks, starring Mia Wasikowska and Adam Driver and lead roles in the Australian features Lemon Tree Passage and Beast No More. Retrieved 5 April 2021. There was no specific law about that but the authorities would not have allowed it.
Call in my gentlewoman. But she is a young girl and cannot protect her modesty herself. ORSINO Then let thy love be younger than thyself, Or thy affection cannot hold the bent. OLIVIA 125 Ay, marry, what is he? Lesson Summary Shakespeare played with the concept of twins and mistaken identities in one of his earliest plays, A Comedy of Errors, but he reached a higher level of sophistication in Twelfth Night, in part due to his creation of the character of Viola, whose wittiness steals the hearts of all the characters. Her disguise becomes a sexual confusion throughout the play for several characters, creating an odd love triangle where Viola loves Duke Orsino, who loves Oliva, which then on the other hand loves Viola, in disguise as Cesario.
ORSINO Ay, prithee, sing. Olivia, believing Viola to be a man, falls in love with this handsome and eloquent messenger. The irony, however, is that Aguecheek is quite the timid and cowardly fellow and even an inexperienced person would have been able to take him. OLIVIA Cousin, cousin, how have you come so early by this lethargy? FOOL Like a drowned man, a fool, and a madman. ORSINO O, then unfold the passion of my love.
She never told her love, But let concealment, like a worm i' the bud, Feed on her damask cheek: she pined in thought, And with a green and yellow melancholy She sat like patience on a monument, Smiling at grief. Spend this for me. In her,Shakespeare has united qualities,which he usually tends to divide between two different types of women. Consequently, she evaluates the sea captain's character, finds it suitable, and wisely places her trust in him; then she disguises herself as a boy so that she will be safe and have a man's freedom to move about without protection. Those wits that think they have thee do very oft prove fools, and I that am sure I lack thee may pass for a wise man.
Make your excuse wisely, you were best. She eventually realizes how she truly feels and decides to act on it at the end of the play. Retrieved 6 December 2019. I am a gentleman. The play presents the confused romantic pursuits of a group of aristocrats in a small Italian state.
Cesario (Viola) in Twelfth Night: Character Traits & Analysis
Indeed, she made the top five in our list of Jessica Tovey is an Australian actor and writer, who has worked across film, theatre and television for over 15 years. And within a short three days' time, her wit, charm, loyalty, and her skill in music and conversation won for her the complete trust of Duke Orsino. Love thoughts lie rich when canopied with bowers. How does she feel about the way in which she has deceived her? It had a dying fall. Viola, in turn, has fallen in love with the Duke, who also believes Viola is a man, and who regards her as his confidant.
Unless the master were the man. Viola in Love Viola has many asides to the audience, which explain her inner feelings in ways she can't admit to the other characters, being in disguise. VIOLA She took the ring of me. She immediately realizes that she must provide a living for herself and masquerades as a man, Cesario, so that she can work in Duke Orsino's household. Notes on Interpretation Viola goes through so many emotions and her thoughts jump all over the place, offering a wonderful range to play. She loves Orsino and never speak of.
