By Julie Tagg

Let’s take a look at the theme of love in Shakespeare and how you would respond to this essay question.

“Twelfth Night” is a play that revolves around the theme of love. In your essay, you are required to explore two different types of love depicted in the play. Additionally, you should analyze the impact of one of these types of love on the characters involved. You should also discuss the dramatic effect that this situation has on the overall play.

“Twelfth Night” is a play that revolves around the theme of love and was written by William Shakespeare. The play explores different types of love, including romantic love, platonic love, and self-love. In this essay, I will examine two different kinds of love portrayed in the play and analyze the effect of one type of love on the characters involved and the dramatic effect it has on the play.

The first type of love portrayed in “Twelfth Night” is romantic love. The play shows several instances of romantic love, including the love triangle between Viola, Orsino, and Olivia. Viola, who disguises herself as a man named Cesario, falls in love with Orsino, the Duke of Illyria. Orsino, on the other hand, is in love with Olivia, a noblewoman who is mourning the loss of her brother. Olivia, however, falls in love with Cesario, who she believes to be a man. This creates a complicated love triangle that drives the plot of the play.

The effect of romantic love on the characters is significant. Viola’s love for Orsino drives her to disguise herself as Cesario and serve as Orsino’s messenger in his attempts to woo Olivia. This causes confusion and miscommunication between the characters, leading to comic and dramatic situations. Olivia’s love for Cesario also creates tension and confusion, as she misunderstands Cesario’s true identity.

Moreover, the play highlights the different forms of love and explores the idea of unrequited love. Orsino’s love for Olivia is unrequited, whereas Olivia’s love for Cesario is also unrequited as Cesario is, in fact, Viola in disguise. This creates a sense of irony and contributes to the play’s comedic elements.

Additionally, the play explores the idea of self-love through the character of Malvolio. Malvolio, Olivia’s steward, is portrayed as a self-absorbed character who is in love with himself. This self-love ultimately leads to his downfall when he falls for a trick and is humiliated by other characters.

In conclusion, “Twelfth Night” is a play that explores different types of love, including romantic love, platonic love, and self-love. The play’s portrayal of love, particularly romantic love, drives the plot and shapes the characters. The play’s exploration of unrequited love and self-love adds depth to the story and contributes to the play’s comedic and dramatic elements.

MORE Questions to consider:

1. Discuss the Parallels Between Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” and Modern-Day Dating Culture.

2. Analyze how the Theme of Love in “Twelfth Night” Challenges Traditional Gender Roles

3. Assess the Importance of Self-Love in “Twelfth Night” and How It Applies to Today’s Society

4. Discuss the Different Types of Love Portrayed in “Twelfth Night”

5. Discuss how Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” Can Teach Us to Embrace the Unexpected in Love