How does Olivia appear more likeable than Orsino in the play even though both of them are quite similar?

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Twelfth Night

How does Olivia appear more likeable than Orsino in the play even though both of them are quite similar?

        In Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night", we see that Orsino and the one he loves, Olivia, are presented under the same light. They both have the same characteristics and, moreover, they share the same idea of: in love with the fact or idea of being in love but not loving truthfully. Concerning Olivia however, she seems to be, in the audience’s point of view, more appreciated than Orsino. She acts in a cleverer, more inventive and in a true approach compared to Orsino who seems to be irritating, stupid and who compares love to food! This essay will describe how Shakespeare presents her in a more likeable way than Orsino, what are the deeds of Olivia for her shrewdness to be distinguished from Orsino and lastly why does she seem more sociable seen from our eyes.

        Firstly, let us have an overview on the comparable characteristics of Olivia and Orsino. To begin with, Olivia and Orsino are both very wealthy and come from the privileged social classes. In the case of Olivia, she is a countess and concerning Orsino, he is the Duke of Illyria not neglecting the fact that they are both visited by Feste the fool. Next, the theme of love which associates these two is apparent seeing that they are somehow in love with only the fact of being in love, that is they do not love whoever they say they feel affection for with but the only idea of being in love; especially Orsino who should have been expressing his love counting on himself and not on others:

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"Orsino:         O then unfold the passion of my love,

         Surprise her with discourse of my dear faith;"*1

Regarding Olivia, who pretends loving Viola ends up marrying Sebastian. There we make out that Olivia is irritated towards Orsino and thus refuses his love. In my opinion, I believe that Olivia’s love is truthful and Orsino’s phony. However, supporting the fact that they are just in love with the idea of being in love, they both end up marrying different persons which they did not pretend to love although the persons they end up marrying are, in a certain point of view, ...

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