We are also in the knowledge by now that Viola has a twin brother. He is supposedly dead but it has not yet been confirmed. This begs the question - ‘Is Sebastian alive?’ Which lead to others such as: ‘What will happen when Viola is reunited with Sebastian? What will happen when and if Sebastian meets Viola?’
From the one change in Viola’s appearance, the audience is now gripped; with many questions in mind. This makes Viola’s meeting with the sea captain of utmost importance.
Confusion, desperation and tragedy are shown very effectively in Act 3 Scene 4 by Viola and Antonio. Antonio has just been captured by the authorities, in the presence of whom he believes to be Sebastian – Viola’s twin brother. However, the audience know that it is in fact Viola in disguise as Cesario. Antonio had recently been speaking with Sebastian and he is very confused as to why Sebastian – Viola; suddenly doesn’t recognize him. Shakespeare uses this scene to show comic confusion to a dramatic effect.
In Act 2 Scene 5, Malvolio is being fooled by Feste, Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Maria. He has found a note which he believes to be written by Olivia – which proclaims her love for him. Yet the audience knows that it was in fact Maria who wrote it. A prime example of dramatic irony.
The scene opens with Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Fabian waiting for Maria before the joke is to be carried out. Maria then orders them behind the 'box-tree' to observe Malvolio as be reads through the letter. The box tree conceals them all. Literally. This scene is filled with dramatic irony. An example is, as Malvolio reads through the pretend letter, he images himself as Count Malvolio. Malvolio, being a puritan; dislikes Sir Toby’s way of life and drunkenness. Sir Toby is often drunk and insults Malvolio. Malvolio says aloud when reading the letter: ‘You must amend your drunkenness’ and ‘you waste the treasure of your time with the foolish knight’. Malvolio speaks with pride and smugness as he imagines Sir Toby curtsying before him. This concealment is dramatically effective because of its comedy. Such comedy continues with the encouragement of Malvolio dressing in yellow stockings – as Maria explains ‘he will come to her in yellow stockings, and ‘tis a colour she abhors, and cross- gartered, a fashion sense she detests’. Here is even more dramatic irony as the audience know that Maria wrote the letter, that Olivia hates the colour yellow and that Malvolio believes that the letter is actually written by Olivia herself. Maria, Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Fabian are all concealing the truth about the letter and this creates comedy. In addition, by the four characters hiding in the box tree; it exposes Malvolio’s true intentions – that he does not love Olivia for who she is, but for his personal status and gain. Thus, this concealment is used to highlight the flaw in his personality in which he is deluded that she would even love him and his craving for power.
Another example of Shakespeare using disguise and concealment to a dramatic effect is when Feste dresses up as Sir Topaz to fool Malvolio. Malvolio is unaware that Sir Topaz is actually Feste. And again, the main feeling reflected from the audience is comical. Malvolio is being fooled by someone who is not who they say they are. The audience knows this but Malvolio does not. This recurs throughout the play and Shakespeare uses it to his desired effect and it is always amusing. Another reason that this scene appeals so much to the audience is that Malvolio is a Puritan. In Shakespearian times, puritans were commonly jeered at and it was usual for people to make jokes about them. The audience picks up on this and subsequently finds this scene even funnier because of Marvlio’s status.
Shakespeare uses Viola’s disguise as a man to many different amusing effects. For example, when Viola is playing the role of Cesario; Count Orsino has a ‘lad’s chat’ with whom he thinks to be Cesario – a man. Shakespeare has made this an exceptionally funny scene, because again, the audience knows something which the characters do not. Orsino goes on to say that he didn’t think women love as passionately and as strongly as men. Viola finds it hard to stay in character because Viola is trying to stick up for the woman and she is passionately in love with him. Yet she doesn’t want Orsino to discover her true identity at the same time. This is another very amusing scene and Shakespeare wrote it with that in mind. He also uses comedy through Viola’s discomfort throughout as Viola struggles to stay in character.
Throughout the play, Feste hints that he has his suspicions about Viola and he appears to see through her disguise. He hints subtly, using words which have two meanings – that Viola may perhaps not be who she says she is. ‘quote’
Lastly, another very key scene, also perhaps the funniest; is when Sebastian makes his way to Olivia’s mansion whilst Viola is still dressed as Cesario. From the very start of the play, when we are shown when Viola has changes her appearance, we know that she still has a twin brother who is not yet confirmed dead. The audience can anticipate and suspect that this scene is going to occur eventually. Viola is with Olivia when Sebastian appears. The characters are then obviously extremely confused, which gives a great comical effect. The story then unravels and all the true identities of the characters are revealed. At the very end of the play, Feste is alone on the stage. He sings a song of unfulfilled love, which puts forth the idea of what could happen in another situation. While the other characters have all been unmasked, Feste’s mask can never be discarded due to his role in Olivia’s palace as her clown. As Olivia’s clown, his job is to be merry and witty on demand for Olivia’s personal entertainment. As he resides in Olivia’s palace, this façade and persona has to be kept up all the time. As Feste ages, his is scared about losing his job and therefore his true self can never be exposed. Therefore, Feste is the only character in ‘Twelfth Night’ who does not eventually show something which he is concealing, be that identity or in his case - personality. This makes the last stanza very emotive and meaningful as he unmasks the atmosphere and quotes: ‘but that’s all one, our play is done.’ This helps the audience to return back to reality where everyone is who they say they are – where the sea often kills, mistaken marriages are rarely happy, and where Viola’s rarely marry dukes.
The theme of disguise and concealment is used to dramatic effect to cause action, plot development, uneasiness, intrigue, misunderstandings, the highlighting of personality flaws, tragedy and comedy.
