Twelfth Night Essay Flashcards
Twelfth Night - Shakespeare
Essay question: Concentrate on the theme of love in the play.
**The Theme of Love in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night
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INTRODUCTION
In Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” love is a central theme that influences the actions and emotions of the characters. The play explores different types of love, including romantic love, self-love, and the love between friends and family, showing how love can be both joyful and confusing.
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1. ROMANTIC LOVE
Romantic love is a big part of the play, especially through the love triangle between Viola, Orsino, and Olivia. Viola disguises herself as a man named Cesario and falls in love with Orsino. Orsino, however, is in love with Olivia, who falls for Cesario, not knowing Cesario is actually Viola. This mix-up shows how love can be complicated and sometimes unreturned. Viola’s love for Orsino is deep and real, but she has to hide it because of her disguise. Orsino’s love for Olivia seems more about the idea of being in love than actual feelings. Olivia’s sudden love for Cesario shows how unpredictable love can be.
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2. SELF LOVE
**The character of Malvolio represents self-love. ** He is so full of himself that he believes Olivia loves him, which leads to his embarrassment. Malvolio’s story is a funny yet serious warning about being too proud and self-centered.
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3. LOVE BETWEEN FAMILY AND FRIENDS
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The play also highlights the love between siblings and friends. Viola and her twin brother Sebastian are separated by a shipwreck and are overjoyed when they find each other again, showing strong family love. The friendship between Sir Toby and Sir Andrew adds humor to the play, showing that love between friends is also important.
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CONCLUSION
In “Twelfth Night,” Shakespeare shows that love is a powerful and sometimes confusing force. It can bring happiness and heartache, and it can be funny too. Through the different characters and their relationships, Shakespeare explores the many sides of love, making the play a timeless story about this universal human experience.
