why does viola disguise herself as a man

Because the Duke thinks thats Cesario is is young, handsome, and beautiful (feminine features) and will impress Olivia with his attractiveness. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. James Barry (c. 1792/5 1865) was born in Ireland as Margaret Ann Bulkley. See if you can complete the grid to make four points that could answer this question. It is clear from the beginning of Act 2 Scene 5 that Malvolio already dreams of marrying Olivia, even before he reads Marias letter. She does this because she has been shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria and believes that her twin brother Sebastian, whom she believes is dead, was also on the ship. SparkNotes PLUS How do you think he feels when the truth of the letter is revealed. WebThe relationship between gender and performance is particularly complex in Twelfth Night because the part of Viola is played by a boy actor, who is cross-dressed as a female Renews March 11, 2023 Marias letter is very detailed and convincing, making it possible for Malvolio to believe the declaration of love. Maria cleverly uses this detail to convince Malvolio the letter truly expresses Olivias feelings. Cesario is given a jewel with his picture to wear. It doesnt matter if you agree or not, as long as you can back it up! The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. How Does Viola React To AntonioS Questions? She did commend my yellow stockings of late, she did praise my leg being cross-gartered, and in this she manifests herself to my love, and with a kind of injunction drives me to these habits of her liking. (Malvolio, 2:5). Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. The earliest recorded example is the story of Epipole who joined the Greek army disguised as a man. Cesario wouldnt fight back, but since hes sebastian, the audience knows hes going to beat him up. Why did Antonio accuse him of insubordinateness? Designed by GonThemes. He thinks that Cesario is in love with someone like himself, but does not pick up that that someone is him. Complete your free account to request a guide. Why do you think Viola has so closely imitated her brother in her dress and behaviour? More books than SparkNotes. Is it how he has always felt? Malvolio believes Olivia pays more attention to him than she does and has already convinced himself of some affection from her, even before the letter. Why do you think Viola might want to see Olivias face? A letter that looks like it is from Olivia that says Olivia loves Malvolio. She was almost found out when she was injured and needed medical treatment. Read act II of Twelfth Night. Analysis This scene shows us that Viola has been completely successful in carrying out her plan to become a member of Duke Orsino's household. At that time, all families had to send one male to join the Chinese army. WebViola's disguise as Orsino's page, Cesario, becomes crucial to the action in the play. She was soon discovered by the Greek warrior Palamedes, and as punishment was stoned to death. The story has been the subject of several films including Jingle Mas action film Mulan The Legendary Warrior (2009) as well as the earlier, well-known Disney version, Mulan (1995). What does Maria leave in the path of Malvolio? Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Antonio found Sebastian and took him into his home. The play follows Viola, a woman who washes up on the shores of Illyria after surviving a shipwreck. Maria cleverly uses this detail to convince Malvolio the letter truly expresses Olivias feelings. There is a wreck on the coast of Illyria and a Captain is on the scene. Who saw Olivia and Cesario in the courtyard and what does this cause him to do? Act 2 Scene 4: Look through Violas dialogue about love with Orsino. She passed easily as a man not just because of her height and build but also because she was happy to join the men in smoking, swearing, gambling, and other unladylike behaviors. Unusually, she worked as a painter in Italy. Who was Viola and what reason does she give for wanting to work for Olivia? Frances Clayton (c. 1830 after 1863) of Minnesota was an American woman who signed up to fight alongside her husband. She does not dislike Orsino but wants a more equal relationship than she could have with him. What does Cesario do when Malvolio gives him/her the ring? When Sir Toby deceives Sir Andrew into believing that Cesario wants to fight with him, Sir Andrew tells Sir Toby to offer Cesario his horse to let the matter slip. These are great questions to explore with students in mind maps, or as class debates. She also writes poetry and has been published in anthologies and journals in the UK and USA. Violas disguise allows her to win Orsinos love because she is smart. She decides to go disguise herself as a man and be a servant of the Duke: Why does the Captain agree to help Viola? How does Maria impress the other members of Olivias household? She disguises herself as a boy, gives herself the name Cesario and finds employment with Duke Orsino, the wealthy young ruler of Illyria. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Twelfth Night refers to the twelfth night of Christmas, also known as the eve of Epiphany, a day that commemorates the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus and is often celebrated with a suspension of rules and social orders. As a beautiful and wealthy heiress, Olivia attracts the attention of many men who would like to marry her. This is their last meeting before Olivia meets Sebastian and mistakes him for 'Cesario' in Act 4 Scene 1. Without this important element, the action in the play would slow down dramatically, making the story much less intriguing. In Elizabethan England, women were not allowed to act professionally, and female parts were all performed by men, so Viola would have had to be played by a male actor. See if you can complete the grid to make four points that could answer this question. See if you can complete the grid to make four points that could answer this question. WebTwelfth Night, as with many of Shakespeare's comedies, employs cross-dressing as a narrative technique. Privacy | WebWhy does Viola dress as a boy? Why does Viola meet Olivia? The small love triangle involving the two of them and Orsino is similar to the one between the two of them andOlivia. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. She also suggests that women in general are more susceptible to deceptions. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. She gets a page at the court of the noble duke, Orsino, with the help of this disguise. This play was written during the Elizabethan period, In Elizabethan England, women were not allowed to act professionally, and female parts were only performed by men, so Viola would have been played by a male actor. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! What important detail does Viola learn after her interaction with Antonio? Olivia summons Malvolio because he is usually sad and civil, but he is acting unusual because he is doing all of the things that the letter told him to do, She thinks he is a madman because she does not know about the letter and he is acting strange, He still thinks that Olivia likes him despite what she is doing. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Every teacher of literature should use these translations. How much do you think Viola might be regretting her disguise at this moment in the play? He thinks that Viola died in the shipwreck and since their father is dead, he has no family left. When her husband was killed in battle, she stepped over his body and carried on fighting. During the medieval and Renaissance period in Europe, most women lived restricted lives. What does the Captain tell Viola about the Duke? Why does Sir Andrew challenge Viola to a duel? This disguise helps her to get the job of a page at the court of the When Sir Andrew and Viola are drawn to each other, what happens? She realizes that his writing is not that of an insane man and orders Malvolio to be brought in. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. It is important for any actor playing Sir Toby, and anyone writing about the character, to consider his relationship with Sir Andrew, asking: Weve started to think below about some of the reasons Sir Toby deceives Sir Andrew. She wants to experience the freedom of being treated as a young man. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Want 100 or more? Cesario/Viola was sent by Orsino because he didnt want her to see him. How does Antonio feel when Viola doesnt know who he is? Act 1 Scene 5: Olivia tells 'Cesario' that she agreed to see him rather to wonder at you than to hear you. What does Viola have in common with Olivia? Act 5 Scene 1: Sir Toby has just a few lines in this act when he enters having been beaten by Sebastian. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. WebIn the speech Viola reflects on the concept of disguise. WebWhy does Viola disguise herself as a man? Theres something in me that reproves my fault / But such a headstrong potent fault it is / That it but mocks reproof. (Olivia, 3:4). Viola knows this and says "pray God defend me! I have been dear to him, lad, some two thousand strong or so. (Sir Toby, 3:2). on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% The only problem aside She is in a similar situation to Olivia and perhaps this is why she tells the Captain O, that I served that lady when she hears about Olivias situation. Sir Andrew is involved in the deception of Malvolio but has no idea he is being deceived himself. He jokes and puts Olivia in a better mood so that he is not kicked out. Then respond to the following question.In act II, scene I, the audience finds out that Sebastian and Viola are twins and that they are identical, at least when they are both dressed as men. Act 5 Scene 1: When Malvolio is finally released and faces Olivia with the letter he still believes she wrote, what do you think might be going through his mind? Webman in Viola-Cesario only in visual relation to the male fea-tures of the disguise, Orsino insists upon Malvolio's narcis-sus-like pastime of crushing another's nature until it yields his name. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." Unfortunately, payments are no longer supported by Mastercard in your web browser Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. WebHowever, since Viola is dressed as a man, Sebastian he is fought. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Fortunately, when discovered by the kings daughter, she suffered no punishment and became the princess companion. When Viola disguises her identity, the situation creates a sexual Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. In Elizabethan England, women were not allowed to act professionally, and female parts were all performed by men, so Viola would have had to be played by a male actor. This reflects an idea of love in Shakespeares time that love was a random emotion, creating temporary madness, like being struck by one of Cupids arrows. | There is an old English folk song called Polly Oliver. 212481) Both of them are very smart. What does Olivia do that diffuses the situation? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Today, women can enlist as themselves without the need for disguises. Sanitiza tu hogar o negocio con los mejores resultados. Sir Toby is a drunk and is not really aware of what he is doing. Their story was later told by member Zoya Smirnov who may have been the ringleader of the group. Act 1 Scene 5: Olivia tells 'Cesario' that she agreed to see him rather to wonder at you than to hear you. for a group? Purchasing Olivia mistakes Cesario for Sebastian (who she just married), the Duke feels betrayed by this and want to kill Cesario, Cesario/Viola says that she loves the Duke, Olivia is confused because she thinks Sebastian (who is Cesario) is betraying her. What does Maria say about Malvolios behavior? She first wanted to serve Olivia (due to how the story of love moved her [Viola]), but entered WebShe disguises herself because it would have been impossible to join the court at that time as an unattached women, or to earn her living and have the freedom to search for her Hes going to kill Viola to get angry with her. Purchasing For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! He brings in a letter challenging Cesario to a duel that Sir Toby is to deliver to Cesario. What does Antonio want to do with Sebastian? Malvolio said that Olivia was sick and asleep, but Cesario refused to leave, She does not want any outsiders to visit her.