One of main themes in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” is deception. Discuss the theme as it appears in the play. In your essay, be sure to cite at least TWO different moments when deception is used and the effect that ONE type of deception has on the characters in the play. In addition, discuss the use of one dramatic technique and say how this helps to develop the selected theme.

Deception is a central theme in William Shakespeare’s classic play, Twelfth Night. The play is filled with characters who deceive others or disguise themselves, leading to instances of confusion, misunderstandings, and comic situations. Two notable examples of deception in the play are Viola’s disguise as Cesario and Malvolio’s letter from Olivia.

Viola’s disguise as Cesario is one of the most significant instances of deception in the play. Viola, who is separated from her twin brother Sebastian after a shipwreck, decides to disguise herself as a young man named Cesario. She then enters into the service of Duke Orsino, who she quickly develops feelings for. Viola’s disguise leads to numerous instances of mistaken identity which result in much confusion and comic situations. For instance, when Olivia falls in love with Cesario, she is actually falling in love with Viola. Viola’s disguise also allows her to get closer to Duke Orsino, whom she secretly loves. This deception leads to a complicated love triangle between Duke Orsino, Olivia, and Viola who is disguised as Cesario.

Malvolio’s letter from Olivia is another example of deception in the play that significantly affects the plot. Malvolio, who is Olivia’s steward, is deceived by a forged letter that leads him to believe that Olivia is in love with him. The letter is written by Maria, Sir Toby Belch, and Feste the clown, who are all involved in a plot to humiliate Malvolio. The letter convinces Malvolio that Olivia wants him to dress in yellow stockings and cross-garters, which he does, making him appear ridiculous to Olivia and her household. The deception of Malvolio is significant because it highlights the extent to which deception can be used to humiliate and harm others.

One dramatic technique that Shakespeare employs to develop the theme of deception in the play is dramatic irony. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something that the characters do not. In Twelfth Night, the audience knows that Viola is disguised as Cesario, but the other characters are unaware of this fact. This creates a sense of tension and suspense in the audience, as they wait to see how the other characters will react when they discover Viola’s true identity. This technique highlights the theme of deception by emphasizing the contrast between appearance and reality.

In conclusion, Twelfth Night is a play that explores the theme of deception through various instances of disguise, mistaken identity, and forged letters. Viola’s disguise as Cesario and Malvolio’s letter from Olivia are two significant examples of deception in the play. Shakespeare employs dramatic irony as a technique to develop the theme of deception and highlight the difference between appearance and reality. These elements make the play an intriguing and thought-provoking exploration of the power of deception in our lives.

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