Deception is central to William Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night,'
intricately entwined into the storyline, propelling it with skillfully
executed events. Two notable deceits come to the fore, both featuring
Viola's guise as Cesario and the manipulation of Malvolio through a
faked letter. These events influence the behaviour and feelings of the
characters, showing how confusing identity mistakes can be and the
outcome of dishonesty in a humorous theatrical setting.
Viola's choice to conceal her identity as Cesario creates a tangled web
of mistaken identities and romantic complications. After surviving a
shipwreck, Viola navigates Illyria while posing as a male page named
Cesario. She asks for help, saying, "Conceal me what I am, and be my
aid / For such disguise as haply shall become / The form of my intent"
(Act 1, Scene 2). This misleading facade leads Viola to work for
Duke Orsino while also falling for him in secret. Yet, Viola's hidden
persona triggers turmoil and nuanced emotions, as Olivia, oblivious of
her true identity, develops affection for Cesario.
Viola's disguise greatly affects her emotions, torn between her true
feelings for Orsino and the limitations of her disguise. Her deception
unintentionally impacts the emotions and relationships of Orsino and
Olivia, making their pursuit of love more complicated. The mistaken
identities create a complex interplay that drives the comedic yet
emotionally charged elements of the play, revealing how societal
norms can impose limitations and vulnerabilities.
Conversely, the second incident of deception revolves around
Malvolio, Olivia's steward, who becomes the victim of manipulation
through a forged letter. Maria, Olivia's maid, crafts a letter in Olivia's
handwriting, deceiving Malvolio into believing that Olivia harbors
romantic feelings for him. This deception leads Malvolio to act
foolishly, following the letter's instructions by donning yellow
stockings and behaving in a manner contrary to his usual seriousness.
The impact of this manipulation on Malvolio is profound and
negative. Blinded by the false hope instilled by the forged letter,
Malvolio becomes the subject of ridicule and humiliation as his
behavior, guided by deceit, is revealed to Olivia and others. This
instance highlights the repercussions of deception, exposing
vulnerabilities and arrogance, ultimately leading to Malvolio's
downfall.
Shakespeare employs dramatic irony as a potent technique related to
cunning themes in Twelfth Night. During Viola's masquerade as
Cesario, the viewers are informed of her factual persona, while the
other characters remain oblivious. This irony constructs audience
participation, fosters eagerness for the ultimate disclosure, and
underscores the intricacy of deceit in the play's progressions.
Deception is a major theme in 'Twelfth Night'. Viola's disguise as
Cesario and Malvolio's manipulation are key examples of this theme.
These instances significantly affect the characters, influencing what
they do and how they feel. Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to
highlight the outcomes and intricacies of deceit, demonstrating how it
interacts with mistaken identities, human connections, and social
conventions in the play's comedic setting.
