Two key themes stand out in Act 2, Scene 4, of William Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night. On one hand constancy of love plays a significant part and on the other hand gender deception. In this scene Viola, disguised as Cesario, defends the love of women and defies Orsino’s critic of women’s inconsistent love compared to men’s enduring passion:
"Too well what love women to men may owe. In faith, they are as true of heart as we."
(2.4.103-104)
Viola’s appreciation of the woman’s side and her continuous word plays demonstrate her intention to help Orsino uncovering her disguise and reciprocating her love. The following dialogue provides an essential challenge for the interpretation and production of this scene. One can either illustrate that Orsino actually reveals Violas deceit or lay emphasis on Orsino’s simplicity and thus demonstrate his naivety. Her hints commence when she says: “We men may say more, swear more, but indeed our shows are more than will” (2.4.116). Here, Shakespeare uses the phonological identity of ‘we men’ and ‘women’ to create an ambiguity of meaning. The ambiguity peaks with her admission: “I am all the daughters of my father’s house, and all the brother too” (2.4.118-119), indicating that Viola assumes her brother Sebastian died in the shipwreck. Orsino seems captured in Viola’s story before he commands her to go to Olivia again concerning his confession of love.
However, the scene begins with a melancholic Orsino demanding for a song, performed by Feste. The waiting for the jester leads to a conversation between Orsino and Viola. Orsino realizes that Viola is in love with someone and interrogates her. In this dialogue she insinuates that Orsino is the one she loves but due to her disguise Orsino does not detect the clue although she uses the word ‘your’ conspicuously three times in a row.
"Viola: A little, by your favour.
Orsino: What kind of woman is't?
Viola: Of your complexion.
Orsino: She is not worth thee then. What years, i' faith? Viola: About your years, my lord."
(2.4.24-27)
How to emphasize Viola’s ‘your’ is another crucial challenge for the interpretation of the production of this scene. After disclosing the age of Violas loved one Orsino gives her the advice to always take a woman that is younger than the man for the reason that the men’s love is unsteady and faltering. [...]
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Critical Reception of Scene
- Critical Analysis of Scene
- Production Idea
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper aims to analyze Act 2, Scene 4 of William Shakespeare's play "Twelfth Night" with a focus on the interplay of action and words in the scene. The paper will explore how characters use language to express their feelings, navigate complex social situations, and reveal their true natures.
- Constancy of Love
- Gender Deception
- Rhetorical Figures and Dramatic Irony
- The Role of the Jester (Feste)
- Character Development and Motivation
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the scene and its key themes: constancy of love and gender deception. The focus is on Viola's disguised identity as Cesario and her interaction with Orsino, highlighting the ambiguity created by her wordplay and the potential for both revealing her secret and exposing Orsino's naivety.
- Critical Reception of Scene: This chapter examines how literary scholars have interpreted and analyzed the scene, focusing on the use of rhetorical figures by the characters. The chapter explores the contrasting styles of Orsino and Viola, noting how Orsino's fluctuating moods highlight his immaturity, while Viola's rhetorical strategies create dramatic irony and comedic moments. The chapter also highlights the role of Feste, the jester, in the scene.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key terms and concepts explored in the paper include: Twelfth Night, Act 2, Scene 4, constancy of love, gender deception, dramatic irony, rhetorical figures, Viola, Orsino, Feste, character development, Shakespearean comedy, theatrical production.
- Quote paper
- Nicolas Theisen (Author), 2013, Shakespeare Action and Words. Analysis of "Twelfth Night" (Act II, Scene IV), Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/370702
