Twelfth Night Theme – Love as the Cause of Suffering Essay Sample
In William Shakespeare’s drama Twelfth Night. love as the cause of agony is one of the most outstanding subject of the narrative. Even though this drama ends in love and wedded cloud nine. Shakespeare besides shows us that love can besides do hurting. The characters frequently view love as a expletive. something that is thrust upon you and you can non easy or willing flight. Examples include Malvolio’s love for Olivia. the love trigon between Olivia. Duke Orsino. and Viola as Cesario. and Antonio’s crush on Sebastian. There are infinite occasions where unanswered love for another consequences in grief and sorrow.
Malvolio is a societal climber. he feels that if Olivia would love him his position would be higher. But because of his grandiloquent attitude Olivia is decidedly non in love with him. and the remainder of the house finds him rather raging. As retaliation for being such a fuss in the house. Maria workss a love missive addressed to Malvolio forged in Olivia’s script. Malvolio is so fooled into thought that at last. his lady has fallen for him. “I do non now fool myself. to allow my imaginativeness jade me. for every ground excites to this. that my lady loves me! ” ( 2. 5. 153 ) With this new information. Malvolio now has the assurance to demo his love for Olivia. When he approaches her though. she thinks he has gone huffy and sends him off to be locked up. Malvolio’s love for Olivia has lead him to embarrassment. grief and prison.
Lady Olivia has been contending off Duke Orsino for a piece. so after her brother and father’s deceases. she goes into mourning for seven old ages. cursing she could ne’er love another until so. Unfortunately for Olivia. this does non oppress Duke Orsino’s spirit. but merely makes him desire her more. ”O. when mine eyes did see Olivia foremost: me thought she purged air of pestilence” ( 1. 1. 19 ) . To do her love him back. Duke hires Cesario to court Olivia for him. Duke can’t seem to catch a interruption because Olivia so falls in love with Cesario. It is at this point in the narrative where the love trigon is created. During the clip when Cesario is courting Lady Olivia. Duke is confronted with unusual feelings towards Cesario. which Cesario/Viola returns. It stands as Olivia loves Cesario/Viola. who loves Duke Orsino who loves Olivia. Each character suffers in sorrow as they can non hold who they desire. because of position. gender or love for another.
Antonio deliverances Sebastian after the shipwreck that separated him from his twin. Viola. Antonio instantly takes a liking to Sebastian and helps acquire back on his pess. Sebastian caputs to Duke Orsino’s tribunal to look for work. Antonio offers to assist but Sebastian has to worsen as Antonio is a wanted adult male and attach toing him on his journey would set him at hazard. “But. come what may. I do adore thee so. / the danger shall look athletics. and I will travel. ” ( 2. 1. 43-44 ) Antonio follows him anyways and ends up meeting Viola dressed as Cesario in the center of a battle with Sir Andrew. Because Antonio thinks Cesario is Sebastian. he steps in to support him. out of his love. Viola is confused because she’s ne’er met Antonio before.
But. Sir Toby and Sir Andrew acknowledge him as the wanted felon that he is and turn him in to the governments. Although Antonio is finally released he still ends up brokenhearted as Sebastian ends up married to Olivia. In decision. Shakspere shows us that love has two faces. One face shows us that love can be beautiful and can convey felicity. the other shows a darker and more painful side where love can be heartbreaking and plaintive. Malvolio’s love for Olivia brings him felicity for a short piece until he learns that it was all a cozenage. The love trigon between Duke Orsino. Lady Olivia and Viola as Cesario brings them bittersweet feelings as they are at the same time merrily in love and heartbroken with hurting. Antonio is in love with Sebastian. but Sebastian ends up get marrieding Olivia. Antonio is heartbroken and leaves in letdown. Shakespeare presents us with a negative position on the results of love and brings his characters pain before they can see love.
