Twelfth Night Research Paper Sample

William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” is a wonderful example of strong characters who felt oppressed by the society in which they lived. Not only did they pursue their love, but also stood up against societal roles. Despite the restrictions they faced as a result of master/ servant relationships, they were determined to achieve their goals.
Gender confusion is prevalent within this play. Viola, pretending to be a man, falls in love with Orsino but can’t profess her feelings because of her act. Olivia, though adored by Orsino, falls in love with Viola who she thinks is a man. This ongoing confusion is meant to be entertaining in a comedic scene but it also is a revelation in the exploration of gender identity.
“Twelfth Night” mixes love and comedy to explore concepts of gender roles and social class. This insight into classism opens our minds to what factors make a relationship work (Shakespeare) Despite the fact that very few servants were allowed to act in Shakespeare’s time and faced strict standards, he preferred to write strong, willful, and intelligent characters into his works.
Even though the women in “Twelfth Night” were not the typical Elizabethan ladies, the theme of women as property runs throughout the play. We see how fathers, not the ladies, get to choose their daughter’s husbands, much to their dismay (Shakespeare). Society recognizes these women as property, and has laws that can put them to death should they disobey. Women were not given a much of a choice, however both Olivia and Viola decide to take their fate into their own hands thus bucking societal norms. Rebellion remains a major theme throughout the play. This shows just how far society has come in accepting that women should have a choice in their life changing decision.
If one could use one word to summarize “Twelfth Night” it would have to be “love.” Love is displayed with all its trials, triumphs, and heartbreak. We see two ill-fated crushes with Viola and Olivia, neither of which is free to act upon them. The relationships are complex, and gender confusion leads one to wonder if they are in love with the male or female versions of the characters. The idea that “love” is not exclusive to opposite sex couples is a concept that is more in keeping with today’s societal acceptance. Shakespeare seemed to be foretelling a time were gender did not matter in regards to love.
In the case of Viola, it may be to escape the oppression of her gender. She states, “There is a fair behavior in thee, captain /And though that nature with a beauteous wall /Doth oft close in pollution, yet of thee/I will believe thou hast a mind that suits/With this thy fair and outward character” (1.2.43-47). It is clear that she would like to be judged as a person equal to any other, not by her gender. She also is expressing her concern that outward appearances are not always reflections of the inner person. Throughout the play, we see how fathers, not the ladies, get to choose their daughter’s husbands, much to their dismay (Shakespeare). Viola decides to take her fate into her own hands, but she is only able to accomplish this be deceiving others.
Viola also uses her alter ego to express her true feelings about herself (Viola). She states, “A blank, my lord. She never told her love, “But let concealment, like a worm i' the bud.” (2.4.107-111). By speaking in a third person male voice she is able to express what she wants to say, without being dismissed as a silly female by those around her. However her plan runs amiss when the female character Olivia falls in love with her male persona. To spare Olivia’s feeling she is finally forced to admit, “I am not what I am” (3.1.131). Shakespeare uses this humorous situation to show that the truth is always eventually revealed.
Throughout this work, Shakespeare seems to allege that outward appearances are often the greatest indicator of how identity is perceived in the eyes of others. Duke Vincentio goes under disguise as a friar to expose truths. He uses the trust that others have in the un threatening friars to affectedly spy on others. It is through the use of this disguise that he discovers the lies of Angelo, who states, “O my dread lord,/I should be guiltier than my guiltiness/To think I can be undiscernible,/When I perceive your grace, like power divine,/Hath look'd upon my passes. Then, good prince, /No longer session hold upon my shame, /But let my trial be mine own confession./Immediate sentence then and sequent death.” (5.1.365-373). Vicentio takes advantage of the trust given to him based on his appearance and uses it to his own advantage. Even he eventually seems to realize that his deceit is sinful. His failure to save Claudius based on his selfish desire to maintain his disguise seems to haunt him. The Duke’s act proves that many times social class is judged solely on appearance. By disguising himself he was able to learn what someone of a lower class might experience.
Substitution trickery is also prevalent within this play, especially between the masters and their servants. Isabella, who fears sex sends Marina as her substitute to Angelo’s bed. She sets up her ruse by stating, “Haste you speedily
to Angelo. If for this night he entreat you to his
bed, give him promise of satisfaction.” (3.1.259-261). She seems to have adequate reason to dislike the sexist Angelo, who threatens Isabella frequently by imposing his maleness on her. Angelo states, “Who will believe thee, Isabel?/ My unsoil'd name, the austereness of my life,/My vouch against you, and my place i' th’ state.” (2.4.154-158). He uses his position in society as a respected male to intimidate Isabella, whose status as a woman is lower and thus not as respected in society. However, it would seem that Isabella got the last laugh when she out smarts Angelo by sending Marina to his bed. Shakespeare’s willingness to show women as clever was truly unique compared to other literature of the time. When Angelo calls for Claudius’ execution, once again an elaborate ruse is played on him. Another prisoner is put in his place and thus beheaded. It is suggested that death equalizes all humans, it is stated, “O, death's a great disguiser; and you may add to it. Shave the head, and tie the beard, and say it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his death; you know the course is common.” (4.2.171-174) The use of substitution trickery also ties into the “counterfit” theme. These two individuals used servants to take their place in what they feel is an “uncomfortable” position. The power they held over them most likely kept them from having any say in the manner.
In conclusion, “Twelfth Night” has very complex servant/ master relationships. Those of lower social classes such as women and servants had to pretend to be someone else in order to avoid oppression. Shakespeare however reveals at the end that death is the equalizer for them all.