Julie Tagg| Think and Write for CSEC English A and B

Let’s take a look at another essay question for Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” and the response for this question.

In the play “Twelfth Night,” Shakespeare explores the use of disguise.

With close reference to the play, discuss the use and effectiveness of disguise. You should also discuss the challenges that Viola faces in her disguise.

Viola’s disguise as a man in William Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night is a crucial element of the story that leads to some of the most memorable moments. Viola’s decision to adopt the persona of Cesario is motivated by a desire to protect herself in a foreign land and to pursue her love for Duke Orsino. However, her disguise also creates several problematic situations that lead to hilarious and thought-provoking moments.

Viola’s decision to disguise herself as Cesario is initially motivated by her desire to protect herself from harm in a foreign land. After surviving a shipwreck and being separated from her twin brother Sebastian, Viola decides to disguise herself as a man and serve Duke Orsino, whom she has fallen in love with. This decision allows her to navigate the unfamiliar and dangerous territory of Illyria without attracting unwanted attention.

However, her disguise as Cesario creates several problematic situations that lead to humorous moments in the play. One of the most famous examples is her interaction with Sir Andrew Aguecheek, a wealthy but foolish man who is pursuing Olivia’s affections. Sir Andrew is not initially a threat to Viola, but her disguise as Cesario leads him to believe that she is a rival for Olivia’s affections. This belief leads Sir Andrew to challenge Viola to a duel, which she is able to avoid through quick thinking and help from her friend, the clown Feste. This situation is humorous because Sir Andrew is so easily manipulated, and it reveals his true nature as a cowardly and inept suitor.

Another problematic situation that Viola’s disguise creates is her interaction with Olivia, a wealthy and beautiful woman who is mourning the loss of her brother. Viola, disguised as Cesario, is sent by Duke Orsino to woo Olivia on his behalf. However, Olivia becomes enamored with Cesario instead. This situation is humorous because Olivia is oblivious to the fact that Cesario is actually a woman disguised as a man, and it reveals her true nature as someone who is easily swayed by external appearances.

Additionally, the situation creates a love triangle between Viola, Olivia, and Duke Orsino, which leads to even more comedic situations throughout the play. Viola’s disguise also reveals the true nature of Duke Orsino. Through her interactions with him as Cesario, Viola is able to see firsthand how self-absorbed and melodramatic he is. While Orsino is initially attracted to Viola as Cesario, he also confides in her about his love for Olivia and his own conflicting emotions. Viola’s observations of Orsino’s behavior as Cesario help her to realize that he is not the ideal man she thought he was, and she begins to question her own feelings for him.

In conclusion, Viola’s decision to disguise herself as Cesario serves as a catalyst for much of the comedic action in Twelfth Night. Her disguise is initially motivated by a desire for self-protection and love, but it creates several problematic situations that lead to humor and reveal the true natures of the characters she interacts with. Through her interactions with Sir Andrew, Olivia, and Duke Orsino, Viola is able to see the true nature of each character, even if they are unable to see it themselves. The play is a brilliant example of how a disguise can be used to explore gender, identity, and human nature in a way that is both thought-provoking and entertaining.