Why does Viola disguise herself as a boy? This realization on the part of Viola shakes her with misgivings, yet she does not reveal herself. Educator since 2008 . Viola's disguise becomes increasing more important as the events take place. For as much as her disguise is her own ploy, it is Shakespeare’s dramatic device. To protect herself she decides to disguise herself as a man and calls herself Cesario. Why is Sir Andrew Aguecheek staying at Olivia’s home? Viola hides her sexulaity because she dosent have a man to vouch for her social status, this then a looks her to work for the Duke Orsino. It doesn’t matter if you agree or not, as long as you can back it up! The protagonist of Twelfth Night.An aristocratic woman, she is tossed up on the coast of Illyria by a shipwreck at the beginning of the play and disguises herself as the pageboy, Cesario, to make her way.Throughout the play, Viola exhibits strength of character, quick wit, and resourcefulness. Per 6- Opening Scene- What news does Valentine bring to the Duke and why is it important? Second, it's suggested that she disguises herself to take advantage of the higher social standing of men -- it does certainly succeed in getting her close to Orsino and Olivia. Every major character in Twelfth Night experiences some form of desire or love. Viola and her bro were orphaned when young, and had just lost her brother. These qualities will help her obtain her position with Duke Orsino, and they are also the same qualities which cause Lady Olivia to immediately fall in love with her. The majority of the plot lines depend on the disguise. Viola's actions produce all of the play's momentum. Approved by eNotes Editorial Team Keri Sadler. Viola does also stand up for her sex in the play, her position as a man allowing her the power to tell Orsino, “In faith, [women] are as true of heart as we [men].” 4 (II.iv) Just as Rosalind will use the power of her disguise to teach Orlando how to love, Viola makes powerful statements about the love that she could not have made to Orsino as a woman. This has serious consequences for herself and the others around her. Viola doesn’t actually disguise herself as a eunuch – a man who had been castrated before puberty and thus never developed the secondary sexual characteristics of a normal adult male. She feels so sad for Olivia, because Olivia has just lost her brother and her father. Who does Orsino send to carry his messages to Olivia? She gets to know about the place and there is a vacancy at Duke's place. Because of her disguise, she must be both herself and Cesario. This play was written during the Elizabethan period, where woman had more subservient roles. ydoes she not say whosheis? ... Viola decides that, in that case, she will disguise herself as a young man and seek service with Duke Orsino instead. This mounting identity crisis culminates in the final scene, when Viola finds herself surrounded by people who each have a different idea of who she … (A) He is her uncle (B) He is trying to court Maria (C) He is trying to court Olivia (D) He is Malvolio’s brother 7. Role in the play. The easy answer is that Shakespeare always uses people in disguise to complicate his plots (Peck and Coyle-93). Some scholars point to this line as evidence that Orsino is enamored more by the disguise than by Viola herself. 1215 Words 5 Pages. It seems her only option is to disguise herself as a man. How. Why does Viola disguise herself as ‘Cesario’? At the beginning of Twefth Night, Duke Orsino is _____ Listening to Music. Her way of getting to Olivia is by being Orsino's "wing-man". The easy answer is that Shakespeare always uses people in disguise to complicate his plots (Peck and Coyle-93). So, why does Viola cross-dress as a boy? What is Viola's response to the way other characters treat and respond to Cesario? Orsino does not pick up on the clues because he believes Viola is a man, and that the two of them are speaking man to man. She is a young woman of Messaline. Viola's physical disguise is symbolic of her concealing her emotions about Sebastian, etc. In Twelfth Night, why does Viola want to serve Orsino? This portrays Malvolio’s outspoken confidence, as he is convinced Maria would like a man like himself, although we are aware that Malvolio’s fantasy is a pose with When she promises to pay him well, the captain agrees to help her, and they go off together in order to find a disguise for her. Lady Olivia falls in love with Viola, who is dressed as a man, but still resembles a woman. Viola also has a native intelligence, an engaging wit, and an immense amount of charm. What is Malvolio's position? Top Answer. Especially the women because even though Queen Elizabeth herself loved the theater, it was generally considered that a woman who wanted to see a play was of ill repute. Got that? As she founds herself alone in Illyria and knew that his brother Sebastian might be drowned she thinks that how to survive. Viola has been shipwrecked in Illyria, a land that she doesn’t know and she is probably feeling very insecure and frightened. Viola’s disguise becomes increasing more important as the events take place. A big loss. In the teen movie adaptation of Twelfth Night, She’s the Man, the Olivia of the film says that unlike the other men, who are a ‘goonish’ kind of handsome, Viola in her disguise is ‘refined’ handsome. Why does Viola disguise herself as a man? He is Olivia's steward. This play was written during the Elizabethan period, where woman had more subservient roles. The majority of the plot lines depend on the disguise. Additionally, why does Viola want to disguise herself? For a joke To find work To woo Olivia To avoid violence 3 of 5. Who is trying to court Olivia at the beginning of the play? Why does Viola disguise herself as a man? The easy answer is that Shakespeare always uses people in disguise to complicate his plots (Peck and Coyle-93). In William Shakespeare's comedy, Twelfth Night Viola took a disguise after the shipwreck. (A) She puts on makeup to make herself resemble an old woman (B) She dresses like a man (C) She shaves her head and wears a false beard She has lost contact with her twin brother, Sebastian, whom she believes to be drowned, and with the aid of the Captain, she disguises herself as a young man under the name Cesario and enters the service of Duke Orsino. and find homework help for other Henry V questions at eNotes Viola explains that although her primary intention of hiding her femininity is to obtain employment, her guise creates many problems. It also provides a comedic effect when she falls in love with the Duke. Who does Viola fall in love with? If people believe she is a man, it will be easier for her. He claims that once Viola has shed her disguise, she will be the queen of his love. She says she wants to disguise her identity as a way to buy some time, to figure some stuff out. Disguise in the Audience . How does Viola's gender-bending "Cesario" disguise create comedic situations in the play? does Viola's gender bending "Cesario" disguise create comedic situations in the play (focus on one) ? What does Viola look like in Twelfth Night? As "Cesario," Viola's a little too good at her job and she finds herself in the middle of a messy love triangle when Olivia falls in love with "Cesario," who can't return the Countess's favors because Viola is in love with the Duke. Viola is shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria and she comes ashore with the help of a Captain. Why does Viola disguise herself as a man? Who does Olivia fall in love with? Viola explains that although her primary intention... Read More . What is Viola's response to the way other characters treat and respond to "Cesario"? Who loves who Twelfth Night? How does Viola disguise herself? Often, the Triangulation of Desire becomes more about _____ than about finding true love. What is Sir Toby's great vice? This play was written during the Elizabethan period, where woman had more subservient roles. We’ve started to think below about some of the reasons Viola disguises herself as 'Cesario'. Also, his self-loving ... and I have heard herself come thus near, that should she fancy it should be one of my complexion”. Viola disguises herself as a boy in an attempt to enter Orsino's court. OK, good. Why does Viola disguise herself as a man? From Twelfth Night, why does Viola disguise herself as a boy? Sometimes members of the Elizabethan audience would disguise themselves. More specifically Twelfth Night emphasizes how Viola’s disguise as Cesario, and Sebastian’s role in tricking Olivia into marriage, is an identity crisis in which both Viola and Sebastian choose not to indulge in their own desires but each other's. Viola, in the act of reinterpreting herself as a man for the main purpose of protection, has found herself the body from which other characters can derive their own interpretations. Viola's brother. Who is Sebastian? Without it, the main theme of the play would be the gulling of Malvolio. Get an answer for 'In Henry V, why did Henry disguise himself as a soldier the night before the battle at Agincourt?' Viola understands her sorrow, and sets out to serve Orsino and help her through the tough time. Viola, disguised as Cesario. Without it, the main theme of the play would be the gulling of Malvolio. He is a drunkard. Winning the prize. See if you can complete the grid to make four points that could answer this question. Make sure to quote from the play. Orsino assumes Viola is talking about a sister but the audience knows Viola is really speaking about herself. More importantly, that is only for a male. Viola was disguised as a man, with the name of Cesario: Family: Sebastian (twin brother) Viola is the protagonist of the play Twelfth Night, written by William Shakespeare. in the story the twefth night, why does viola wish to disguise herself as a eunich? Viola’s chief problem throughout the play is one of identity. Malvolio’s attitude is fundamentally the only reason why he is connected to disguise and deception. Orsino. Duke Orsino is in love with Olivia. It allows her greater freedom as a man during this time. Realizing that her disguise has produced unexpected results, Viola makes an allusion to the Gordon knot in order to describe the perceived difficulty of extricating herself from the confusion. Why does Viola disguise herself as a man? How does Viola disguise herself? She dresses like a man. Why does Viola disguise herself as a man? Why does Viola disguise herself? It is an ironic act to a character ‘veiled’ herself, and meta-theatrical reference of ‘curtain’ indicates the misplacement of the actor of Viola as much as the character. Duke Orsino is happy to shift his friendship with Cesario to romantic love once he learns Cesario is really Viola, but seems in no hurry for Viola to take off her male disguise. It would explain her high voice and small frame. However, this line is significant because Orsino insists on addressing Viola as her male alias even though he no longer has to. … 6. Answer and Explanation: Viola disguises herself as a man because it is dangerous for a single woman to travel alone. It would help her get a job in the Duke's court. Viola, in her disguise as Cesario.