Theme in Twelfth Night
deception
Time can unravel even complex deceptions. (Viola &
Sebastian reunite; trick played on Malvolio is
revealed; Viola says II.ii.40-41 “O, Time, thou must
untangle this, not I./ It is too hard a knot for me
t’untie.”)
Self-deception can be unrealistic and/or revealing
and/or can stunt one’s emotional growth. (Malvolio
deludes himself into thinking Olivia could be in love
with him – he’s arrogant; Olivia vows to mourn for 7
years, but falls in love with Cesario within days –
she’s melodramatic; Orsino vows to love Olivia
forever but falls in love with Viola – he’s
melodramatic; Olivia & Orsino won’t move on,
which in this society means finding a spouse and
starting a family – heterosexual marriage is
reinforced by the ending in which Antonio is left out.
Deception can be harmful to those around you.
(Malvolio is thrown in prison; Orsino is upset when
Olivia falls for Cesario; Olivia is angry when Viola is
mistaken for Sebastian and denies marrying Olivia;
Sir Toby & Sir Andrew try to fight Cesario but attack
Sebastian instead; this theme is less supportable since
these harms are short-term)
death
Death can be painful for loved ones left behind.
(Olivia vows to mourn her brother for 7 years; Viola
mourns Sebastian; Sebastian mourns Viola)
Mourning is healthy but mourning for too long can be
unhealthy. (Olivia is chastised by Viola for not
getting married, etc.)
love
Love can triumph over death. (Olivia & Viola’s grief
mitigated by love for Cesario/Sebastian & Orsino
respectively; Viola’s grief ends when Sebastian
reappears; Olivia gains sister & brother through
marriage to Sebastian)
Lasting love often develops through a friendship of
equals. (Orsino & Viola are friends first b/c he thinks
she’s a boy; they talk about men & women’s capacity
for love; they share feelings w/one another; equality
achieved through Viola’s disguise.)
voice/free expression
Malvolio tries to silence Fool, Toby, Andrew, Maria,
which leads to their revenge on him; Antonio isn’t
allowed to act upon his love for Sebastian; Viola
can’t confess her love for Orsino b/c she’s in
disguise; Toby & Fabian speak for Andrew and
coerce him into staying against his better judgment;
Malvolio is silenced when he is made to look mad
and imprisoned; Olivia holds herself back with vow
of mourning; Orsino silences self by sending
messengers to Olivia instead of speaking himself.
Revenge group, Malvolio, Olivia, Viola, Orsino find
their voice; Andrew & Antonio do not.
Society often silences outcasts.
Being denied freedom of expression can bring out the
worst in people.
Being denied freedom of expression (whether by
oneself or others) can keep one from achieving love
& happiness.
EXILE – Viola
alienating – has to dress as a boy; she’s alone without
her brother; she can’t express feelings for Orsino; she
can’t explain why she’s rejecting Olivia.
enriching – gets close to Orsino as an equal; results in
marriage & lasting love
theme – lasting love is often developed through a
relationship of equals (made possible by Viola’s exile
and thus disguise)