Olivia's reaction to Cesario - Twelfth Night Act I Sc. 5

The title Twelfth Night refers to when the play was first performed. The ‘twelfth night’ in Shakespeare’s day was 6 January, twelve days after Christmas and was similar to a period of carnival. That is, it was a time for carnal pleasures, celebration, frivolity, the reversal and mockery of social and sexual roles through disguise and mischief. The objective was to temporarily collapse society only to have it renewed afterwards.

The play carries these themes and is designed to both amuse and confuse us. In this scene Cesario (who is Viola disguised as a young man) has been sent by the Count Orsino to convey his messages of love and persuade Olivia to reconsider him.

We have already seen that Orsino has noticed that Cesario has such curious feminine and youthful traits that he thinks he is apt to talk and influence Olivia (I.4 lines: 23-35). We presume that it is also because of Cesario’s androgynous appearance that Orsino has taken him into his confidence where he can talk openly about his infatuation for Olivia (I.4 line 13: I have unclasped to thee the book even of my secret soul).

It should also be noted that it is because of this disguise that Viola can see Orsino for what he really is and for this reason she begins to fall in love with him.

This draws out a major theme in the play in which we see the irony of disguise. Rather than concealing the truth, disguise tends to draw it out.



Act I Scene 5

Olivia has sworn not to receive suitors while she is mourning for the death of her brother. Nevertheless, Cesario/Viola has managed to get an audience with her.

Exercise

In the following exercise your task is to read a passage with the commentary from the text and paraphrase and interpret it for the class. Once you have done this we will watch the scene.

1. Lines 174-183: Viola:"Are you a comedian?” to Olivia:"Come to what is important in't, I forgive you the praise."
Focus on the double meaning when Viola says: "I am not that I play."

2. Lines 220- 239: Viola: "Good madam, let me see your face." to "I see what you are, you are too proud."
According to Viola/Cesario why should Olivia consider the Count Orsino? (this may remind you of a previous lesson in which we discussed possible universal responses to beauty.) How does Olivia answer Viola?

3. Lines 239-252: From Viola: "I see what you are, you are too proud." to Olivia: He might have took his answer long ago."
How does Olivia feel about Orsino? What does Olivia think of Orsino? Why do you think she can't love Orsino?


4. Lines 253-265: From Viola: "If did love you in my master's flame,..." to Viola: "I am a gentleman."
In this part of the scene Cesario tells Olivia how he would court her if he was Orsino. Paraphrase his speech. At this time who do you think Viola/Cesario might really be thinking of?


5. Lines 266-284: from Olivia: "Get you to your lord." to Olivia: "Well, let it be." What does Olivia see that is so attractive in Viola/Cesario? Describe Olivia’s reaction to Viola/Cesario.

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