Topic > Notes on Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare - 952

Act I"'Be ye to your lord. I cannot love him. Let him send no more, unless, by chance, you come to me again.'"-- Olivia (Shakespeare 25) Olivia shows interest in Cesario. This elicits more dramatic irony as the audience knows that Cesario is actually Viola in disguise. Her interest in Cesario makes it more difficult for Orsino to court her and for Viola to eventually reveal herself. What was once a simple plot of a man trying to win the girl, is now a complex story of a love triangle."'If it's the Count's suit, I'm sick, or I'm not at home. Whatever you want, ignore it. '" --Olivia (Shakespeare 19)Olivia's mood has worsened due to the grief of her brother's death. Although she allows her servants to interact with her, she refuses any other company. Confirming her grief, her dismissive attitude implies that, although she was once sociable, she is too affected by her brother's death to socialize. “'Let him come closer.'” --Olivia (Shakespeare 21) Although she was too shocked to agree to socialize initially, her mind changed almost instantly when she learned that her visitor is a young man. His rapid change of heart foreshadows his never firm judgment. Later, after Viola reveals herself to be Cesario, Olivia's crush, Olivia wastes no time in transferring her affections to Sebastian. Act II "'She is already drowned, sir.'"--Sebastian (Shakespeare 28) At this point in the novel, Sebastian believes that his twin sister has drowned. His unawareness of his disguise and actions ultimately leads to a more confusing climax as he finds his way into Viola's plan. Sebastian's belief that Viola is dead leads to dramatic irony and further drama for the viewers."'Luck forbid that my exterior has not enchanted her [....] She certainly loves me.'" --Viola (Shakespeare 29)Viola has just figured out that Olivia likes him (like Cesario) and realizes that this will cause a lot of complications since her job is to woo Olivia for Orsino and because he is not a man. This causes Viola to distance herself from Olivia. He realizes that revealing himself to Olivia will ruin his plan to get closer to Orsino. "'Do you like this melody?'[....] 'even when they grow to perfection.'" --Orsino and Viola as Cesario (Shakespeare 39-40)Viola hints that she has feelings for Orsino. This simulates more drama and complications because she is still disguised as Cesario, Orsino likes Olivia, and Olivia likes her (as Cesario). This strengthens the growing action as each love interest becomes intertwined with each other, the plot becomes more complicated.