In Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night", it is clearly evident that the
fluctuation in attitude to the dual role and situation and tribulations imposed
upon the character of Viola/Cesario ends up in a better understanding of both
sexes, and thus, allows Viola to have a better understanding for Orsino. Near
the opening of the play, when Viola is adopting her male identity, she creates
another self, like two masks and may decide to wear one or the other while
swinging between the two dentities in emotion and in character. She decides to
take on this identity because she has more freedom in society in her Cesario
mask, which is evident when she is readily accepted by Orsino, whereas, in her
female identity she would not be. Thus, a customary role in society and to the
outlooks of others is portrayed. Orsino sees Cesario, as a young squire just
starting out in the world, much like himself as a young, spry lad, so he has a
tendency to be more willing to unload onto her with his troubles and sorrows,
seeking a companion with which to share and to teach. Thus, Viola grows in her
male disguise to get a better feeling for his inner self, not the self that
heshows to the public, or would reveal and share with Viola in her true female
self, but rather his secret self, as he believes he shares with a peer. So, she
grows to love him. But, Orsino's motivation is actually not love for Viola, but
rather he seems to be in love with love itself. His entire world is filled with
love but he knows that there might be a turning point for him, like when he
says: If music be the food of love, play on; give me excess of it, that,
surfeiting, the appetite may sicken, and so die. (206) This quote shows that he
knows that he is so caught up in "love", that he hopes his appetite
for love may simmer when he takes more than he can handle. Near the end of the
play, when all tricks and treacheries are revealed and all masks are lifted,
Orsino "falls" in love with Viola. He first forgives her/him of
her/his duty to him, the master; then says that she shall now be her master's
mistress: Your master quits you; and for your service done him, so much against
the mettle of your sex, so far beneath your soft and tender breeding, and since
you call'd me master for so long, here is my hand. You shall from this time be
your master's mistress (237) This is sort of a switching love as he thought he
was in love with Olivia in the beginning, but, he readily switches his love to
Viola, as he feel she knows her personality well. As for Viola, she declares her
love for Orsino many times, as if by saying that she would love him if she were
a lady. When Orsino first sends Cesario to act as a messenger and send Orsino's
love to Olivia, Cesario proclaims: I'll do my best to woo your lady; [aside]
yet, a barful strife! Whoe'er I woo, myself would be his wife. (210) This shows
that Viola knows what a difficult situation that she is in, and that she might
try to woo her out of loving Orsino, so that she might have him for herself;
except there is a slight, unexpected twist of fate...After Cesario leaves from
Olivia's, she declares: yet my state is well; I am a gentleman." I'll be
sworn thou art. Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, and spirit, do give thee
five-fold blazon. Not too fast: soft, soft! Unless the master were the man. How
now! Even so quickly may one catch the plague? Methinks I feel this youth's per-
fections with an invisible and subtle stealth to creep in at mine eyes. Well,
let it be. What ho, Malvolio! (212) Olivia, is thinking back to her question to
Cesario, and his response to it. Then she replies to Cesario's response, to
herself, thinking about him. She agrees with his response, then goes over his
many delightfulfeatures, and wonders how she so quickly has caught the plague of
love for young Cesario. She decides that it is her feeling towards his youthful
perfections that creep into her heart and to her eyes. Then she agrees with her
decision, and sends for Malvolio, in hope that he may recall Cesario, so that
she may talk with him again. Olivia feels a strong passionate love for Cesario,
even though it was love at first sight for her. Cesario presented (himself) very
magnificently and left a lasting impression in Olivia's mind. The next time that
Cesario came by, Olivia declared: hood, honour, truth and everything, I love
thee so, that, maugre all thy pride, nor wit nor reason can my passion hide.
(224) This verifies that Olivia is profoundly in love with Cesario, despite all
his pride. But, Cesario does not possess the same sentiments for Olivia as he
says: By innocence I swear, and by my youth, I have one heart, one bosom and one
truth, And that no woman has; nor never none shall mistress be of it, save I
alone. And so adieu, good madam. (229) Here, Viola tells Olivia that she could
never love her, nor any other woman because she only has one love (to Orsino)
and is loyal. But, Olivia is still in love, and requests that Cesario return.
Overall, Viola learns that in the role of Cesario she had to be quick on her
feet, and defend the probing questions and statements as to her love and others
love for her. As well she acquired the skill to bide her time, until the time
was right, lest she reveal her true self or intentions.