Mistaken Identities In Twelfth Night

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Mistaken Identities in the Play, Twelfth Night
An identity is a way of labeling one’s existence in the world. You can identify an individual by their name, by distinguishing characteristics and qualities they possess, and as well as their physical appearance. Identities are used in many different scenarios, for instance, if you are crossing the border to visit another country you are asked to show identification. There are some situations when people can be mistaken for someone else because they may look alike or cause of disguises. Nonetheless, mistaken identity can cause havoc in people’s lives, this is proved to be true in the Shakespeare play, Twelfth Night. In Twelfth Night, mistaken identity creates trouble in the lives of Antonio, Sebastian …show more content…
Viola’s disguise makes her look a lot like her twin brother, fooling Antonio to think that she is his good friend Sebastian. Firstly, mistaking Viola for Sebastian ruins Antonio’s good impression of him, because of Viola’s actions, negatively affecting their friendship. Antonio defends Viola in a sword fight, showing his respect and love for Sebastian because he would do anything for him, despite knowing he would face major consequences if he is caught. However when he asks Viola for his money back, in his time of need, Viola fails do so because she does not recognize him, which makes Antonio feel betrayed by his friend. Antonio’s anger towards Sebastian is exemplified when he says, “But O, how vile an idol proves this god! / Thou hast, Sebastian, done good feature shame. / In nature there’s no blemish but the mind; / None can be called deformed but the unkind. / Virtue is beauty, but the beauteous evil / Are empty trunks o’erflourished by the devil” (III, iv, 384-389). An equally important point is that Antonio makes himself seem insane in front of the Duke Orsino when he is clearly trying to state the truth. This is made apparent in the moment when Antonio says he had been with Viola for the past three months making the Duke say, “But for thee, fellow: fellow thy words are madness. / Three months this youth hath tended upon me” (V, i, 98-99). Thus, mistaking Viola for Sebastian …show more content…
Viola’s alias, Cesario, possesses all the qualities Olivia wants in a man, he is less than her in power, wisdom and age, and his words charm her without him even meaning to. This later contributes to Olivia falling in love with him, which is a problem because Cesario is actually a woman disguised who loves the Duke. Olivia’s love for Cesario is exemplified in her soliloquy: “Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions, and spirit / Do give thee fivefold blazon. Not too fast! Soft, / soft! / Unless master were the man. How now? / Even so quickly may one catch the plague? / Methinks I feel this youth’s perfections / With an invisible and subtle stealth / To creep in at mines eyes” (I, v, 297-304). In addition to this, mistaken identity also causes havoc in Olivia’s life when Maria composes a letter to Malvolio saying she is in love with him, pursuing the identity of Olivia, by making her hand writing look similar to her own. This causes Malvolio to act strangely around Olivia and adds yet another person entangled in the bizarre love web, which also creates unwanted complications in Olivia’s relationship with him. Malvolio’s odd behaviour towards Olivia is made apparent when she questions his bizarre actions: “God comfort thee! Why dost thou smile so, and / kiss thy hand so oft” (III, iv, 35-36)? Given these points, it truly shows how mistaken identity can cause trouble in Olivia’s life whether it is by her
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