What is the function of disguise in Twelfth Night ?

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What is the function of disguise in Twelfth Night ?

William Shakespeare’s play, Twelfth Night is based around disguise and deception, both mental and physical. The deception leads to a lot of misunderstanding and subsequently, a lot of humour.

The tale begins in Illyria with the Duke Orsino, who is suffering due to his unrequited love for the Lady Olivia. The Lady is also suffering from the recent loss of her brother and father, and currently wants nothing to do with the equally mournful Duke.

A disguise is used for safety when a young character named Viola becomes shipwrecked in Illyria. She has been warned of the dangers of being alone in Illyria and so disguises herself as Cesario, a male eunuch and goes to work for the Duke Orsino, whom she has heard well off.

The Duke accepts her service, under the impression that she is a he, and wishes Cesario to attempt to woo the Lady Olivia, thinking she will be taken in by his youthful looks. However, Viola has fallen in love with the Duke Orsino,

‘I’ll do my best To woo your lady (Aside) Yet, a barful strife! Whoe’er I woo, myself would be his wife’.

Unfortunately for Viola, the Lady Olivia is not interested in The Duke,

‘Your lord does know my mind, I cannot love him’

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and even worse for Viola, the Lady Olivia has taken a liking to her!

‘I cannot love him; let him send no more - Unless perchance you come to me again to tell me how he takes it’.

Viola now sees her disguise as something negative. She is in love with the Duke but cannot tell him so outright but is reduced to dropping hints, and she must now face the affections of another woman on herself,

‘Poor lady, she were better love a dream,

Disguise I see thou art a wickedness’

A disguise has ...

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