Posted: October 11th, 2022

Shakespeare’s Use of Characters

For this essay, you will be required to fulfill the following:
● An essay that analyzes a character in Twelfth Night
● At least 4-6 well-developed paragraphs (No more than 5 pages)
● An “A” essay will incorporate outside research on contextual information

Technically the essay is due at 2:30 PM so you can be more flexible. Thank you guys so much. Life savers.
● Typed, MLA format, double-spaced
Shakespeare’s Use of Characters to Relay Particular Messages or Insights In the Twelfth Night
The Twelfth Night is primarily a play encompassing a gripping blend of sadness felt when a brother and sister separate, romance when the two siblings fall in love, farcical comedy comprising both gentle sarcasm and irony, and, finally, an outstanding happy ending for both when they reunite (Ellis and Reed, 2). This happy ending is also fostered because each one of them ends up being loved by the one they love. Notably, Shakespeare utilized the characters in this play to convey particular insights. Viola, the protagonist, is an aristocratic woman tossed up on the coast of Illyria by a shipwreck at the start of the play. She later disguises herself as a pageboy. Her character exhibits strength, quick wit, and resourcefulness. Viola’s self-control and quiet dignity contrast to the extreme emotional performances of love and mourning shown by other characters. Shakespeare was able to demonstrate the norms of behavior through Viola in the strange world of Illyria.
Despite being put in difficult circumstances, Viola has proven to be a practical and resourceful individual. After the shipwreck, she became an orphan with no party to protect her, especially being a single woman unattended in a foreign land; this was a dangerous position (Cliff). Therefore, she chooses to use means which will assure her of safety. To this effect, Viola analyzes the sea captain’s character, finds him suitable, places trust in him, and then disguises herself as a boy to be safe and free as a man to move around with no protection. Viola demonstrates being quick-witted to evaluate situations and make sound judgments that would have helped her as an individual. It is her native intelligence guiding her to making practical decisions and be resourceful, especially in the dreadful situations she is going through (Cliff). These are primarily considered to be masculine; Viola was a female able to demonstrate norms of behavior affiliated with the male individual exceptionally.
Viola is exuded to be in a true fulcrum of action within the hysteria of indecisiveness, unreciprocated love, and confusion. Despite being in a dilemma of whether to confess her love or Orsion or not, shield stood her ground while leaving clever hints without showing herself. On the other hand, other characters, including Orsino, Olivia, Sebastian, and Jester Fester, are continually acting and interacting to generate Shakespeare’s fundamental comic vision. She uses the famous soliloquy, ” I am the man,” to illustrate these traits (Roy, 13). She was the only character that fully knew of her challenges and would find the best strategy to handle them. For instance, how she discovered her brother’s whereabouts was more of her intelligence and proper thinking. Whenever she was frustrated in the play, she did not hesitate to show it nor tolerate it in silence. Viola demonstrates well thought out patience and stability of character (Roy, 13). Shakespeare’s plot developed around Viola’s conduct and the drama that unfolds in her life. While being an outsider to the area, she can make decisions not guided by fallacious perceptions demonstrated by the locals. Therefore, Viola demonstrates a good thought process that is implemented practically.
Notably, Shakespeare goes against the social norms to demonstrate the norms of behavior commonly associated with the male person, being shown by a female character, Viola. She was a young person in possession of many valuable attributes fundamental to her survival in the world of Illyria.

Works Cited:
Cliff. “Viola.” CliffsNotes Study Guides | Book Summaries, Test Preparation & Homework Help | Written by Teachers, www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/t/twelfth-night/character-analysis/viola.
Roy, David. “Drama: Twelfth Night: learning and teaching guide.” (2006).
Ellis, Geiger and Reed, Arthea. “TWELFTH NIGHT By ROBERT SMALL.” Radford University.