Twelfth Night - Character aspects Flashcards
Describe Viola using AO1.
- Pure love for Orsino, making her a likeable character as she contrasts the foolishness of those around her.
- Intelligent
- Her disguise is integral to the play’s comedic structure as it is the consequences of the love triangle that moves the comedy forward.
- She enhances the comedic structure of the play
How does Shakespeare create this presentation of Viola?
Shakespeare constructs this highly intelligent character through her interactions with the world around her.
She knows to disguise herself to keep herself safe, she is able to engage in witty banter with Feste.
However, the presentation of Viola is varied - she makes lapses in her judgement when it comes to Orsino, innocuously revealing herself time and time again.
What would be some contemporary audience’s reactions to Viola?
Rely heavily on the suspension of disbelief as it would be a man playing a woman pretending to be a man.
Viola’s ending would be happy as she is married to the man she loves and is safe.
What would be a modern audience’s reaction to Viola?
They may view Viola’s ending as tragic and sexist as she is married to a man who may be gay or married her as she was the next best thing.
What does Feste do?
Debunk the delusions of others who are in love.
