Topic > Analysis of Orsino's Twelfth Night - 1125

This is the first prayer of the “Twelfth Night”, pronounced by Orsino. Since he is the first person to speak, I assume he will be an important character, perhaps the protagonist. The content of his monologue is also very significant, as it probably prefigures what will become the underlying message of the work. Orsino enjoys the sweet music of love and asks for more and more until he can't take it anymore. Nothing has changed in music, but somehow Orsino's perception of it has become negative. Before requesting more music he even states that he knows his "appetite" will eventually "die", but he still asks for more. This is an obvious allusion to love. People know that almost all relationships will not end as they are. In the space of just 3 days, he “opened / To [Cesario] also the book of [his] secret soul”. His justification for having so much affection is that Cesario looks a lot like a young woman. He compares Cesario to the goddess Diama, compliments her rosy lips, and notes her stately voice. Because, of course, how is it possible for a virile man like Orsino to have sappy feelings of affection for someone who is not a beautiful girl? This is fragile masculinity! This is also why he feels he can send Cesario to woo Olivia. The depressed young woman will trust Cesario because he is young, available and feminine. It is impossible to deny that Orsino is attracted to Cesario in a very peculiar way. Viola's plan seems to be working so far, but I wonder how she plans to reveal her true identity to him. At this moment Orsino is in love with Olivia, or rather with the idea of ​​Olivia because he is too self-centered to do anything on his own. He also feels a deep affinity for Cesario, but Cesario is just a facade. It is foolish of Viola to think that Orsino could ever truly love. Viola, in an attempt to seduce Olivia on Orsino's behalf, tells her that it would be wicked not to have children to carry on her divine beauty. Not only is this a flattering comment, but it's also sexually suggestive. This is Orsino/Cesario who indirectly offers himself as a suitable reproductive partner. Despite what Malvolio may say about her intelligence, Olivia is sharp enough to grasp the double meaning of this astute comment. Her response is full of sarcasm as she says she will document her beauty for future generations by making a detailed list of her attractive