8.2 The use of disguise and mistaken identity
4 min read•august 1, 2024
Disguise and are key elements in . Characters like , , and use disguises, while 's arrival causes confusion. These plot devices create and hilarious mix-ups throughout the play.
The use of disguise allows Shakespeare to explore themes of identity, , and social roles. As characters navigate their altered personas, they learn about themselves and challenge societal norms, ultimately leading to personal growth and unexpected love connections.
Disguise and Mistaken Identity in Twelfth Night
Central Instances of Disguise
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- Viola's disguise as , a male page in Duke Orsino's court forms the cornerstone of the play's plot
- Feste adopts the persona of Sir Topas the curate to deceive Malvolio
- Malvolio's dramatic change in appearance wearing yellow stockings and leads to misunderstandings
- While not a traditional disguise, this alteration significantly impacts his perception by others
Cases of Mistaken Identity
- Sebastian's arrival in Illyria creates confusion as he is mistaken for Cesario (Viola in disguise)
- Multiple instances of mistaken identity occur due to the Viola/Cesario and Sebastian confusion
- mistakes Sebastian for Cesario, leading to their hasty marriage
- confuses Viola (as Cesario) for Sebastian, resulting in his arrest
- challenges Cesario to a duel, mistaking him for a rival
Dramatic and Comedic Effects of Disguise
Creation of Dramatic Irony
- Audience possesses more knowledge about characters' true identities than the characters themselves
- Enhances viewer engagement and anticipation
- Tension and suspense build as the audience awaits the revelation of disguises and clarification of identities
- Creates a sense of dramatic anticipation throughout the play
Humorous Misunderstandings
- Confusion caused by disguise and mistaken identity leads to comedic situations
- Olivia's sudden attraction to Cesario (actually Viola) creates a
- Sebastian's bewilderment at Olivia's affections generates amusing scenes
- Characters' reactions to perceived changes in others produce humorous moments
- Sir Toby and others' response to Malvolio's altered appearance and behavior
Exploration of Social Dynamics
- Disguise allows for examination of and societal expectations
- Viola's experience as Cesario highlights limitations placed on women in Elizabethan society
- Characters transcend social boundaries through adopted personas
- Viola gains access to Duke Orsino's inner circle as Cesario
- Feste's disguise as Sir Topas gives him authority over Malvolio
Thematic Significance of Disguise
Identity and Self-Discovery
- Disguise serves as a metaphor for the fluidity and complexity of personal identity
- Characters explore different aspects of their personalities through adopted personas
- Theme of self-discovery highlighted as characters learn about themselves through disguise
- Viola discovers her own strength and capabilities while living as Cesario
- Orsino learns to love beyond superficial appearances through his relationship with Cesario/Viola
Questioning of True Identity
- Play explores whether identity is fixed or malleable through the use of disguise
- Characters' true natures often shine through despite their disguises
- Distinction between appearance and reality becomes blurred
- Malvolio's altered appearance reflects his inner desires and ambitions
- Love and attraction transcend outward appearances
- Orsino falls in love with Viola's personality despite believing her to be male
Social Commentary
- Disguise enables exploration of societal constraints and expectations
- Viola's experience as Cesario highlights gender inequalities in Elizabethan society
- Play questions the nature of social roles and their impact on individual identity
- Characters behave differently when freed from societal expectations through disguise
Disguise and Mistaken Identity in Resolution
Revelation of True Identities
- Unveiling of disguises crucial to resolving romantic entanglements
- Viola's true identity revealed, allowing her relationship with Orsino to develop
- Resolution of mistaken identities restores order and balance to the play's world
- Confusion surrounding Sebastian and Viola/Cesario cleared up
Character Growth and Acceptance
- Unveiling of disguises allows for character development and acceptance
- Orsino accepts and embraces his love for Viola once her true identity is revealed
- Olivia comes to terms with her mistaken attraction to Cesario and accepts Sebastian
- Characters gain new perspectives on themselves and others through the resolution of disguises
- Viola's experiences as Cesario inform her future relationship with Orsino
Thematic Resolution
- Play's resolution suggests that true identity will ultimately prevail
- Despite temporary confusion or deception, characters' authentic selves emerge
- Disguise and mistaken identity serve as catalysts for positive change
- Lead to formation of appropriate romantic pairings (Viola with Orsino, Sebastian with Olivia)
- Resolution emphasizes the importance of authenticity in relationships and self-understanding
Key Terms to Review (22)
Antonio: Antonio is a significant character in Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice', known for his melancholic demeanor and deep friendship with Bassanio. His character serves as a focal point for exploring themes such as friendship, sacrifice, and the complexities of love, making him crucial in discussions around Shylock and the controversial legacy of the play.
Cesario: Cesario is a character in Shakespeare's play 'Twelfth Night' who is the disguised identity of Viola, a shipwrecked noblewoman. This persona allows Viola to navigate a world where gender roles are rigidly defined, showcasing themes of disguise and mistaken identity, while also creating comedic situations through her interactions with other characters. The use of Cesario highlights the fluidity of gender and the complexity of human relationships in a festive and chaotic environment.
Character growth and acceptance: Character growth and acceptance refer to the development and evolution of a character's personality, beliefs, and values throughout a narrative, often leading to a sense of self-awareness and understanding. This process involves characters facing challenges or conflicts that force them to adapt, learn from their experiences, and ultimately embrace their true selves, which is commonly illustrated through themes of disguise and mistaken identity.
Cross-gartered fashion: Cross-gartered fashion refers to a specific style of wearing stockings or garters, where the garments are wrapped around the leg in a way that creates a crossed appearance. This term is significant as it symbolizes playfulness and a departure from societal norms, particularly in the context of disguise and mistaken identity, where characters use clothing to convey different personas or to manipulate perceptions.
Dramatic irony: Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something that the characters do not, creating a tension between the known and the unknown. This technique enhances emotional engagement and can lead to deeper understanding of characters' motivations and the unfolding plot.
Elizabethan theatre conventions: Elizabethan theatre conventions refer to the established practices and techniques used in the theatre during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, primarily from the late 16th to early 17th centuries. These conventions shaped how plays were performed, structured, and understood, influencing everything from staging to character development. Notably, elements such as the use of disguise and mistaken identity played a significant role in many works, often serving as pivotal plot devices that added complexity and intrigue to the narrative.
Exploration of social dynamics: The exploration of social dynamics refers to the investigation and analysis of how individuals and groups interact within a society, including the power structures, roles, and relationships that define social interactions. This concept emphasizes the fluidity of identity, the influence of societal expectations, and the impact of context on behavior and relationships. Through various forms of disguise and mistaken identity, these interactions reveal underlying themes of class, gender, and social hierarchy, highlighting how perception and reality can often diverge.
Feste: Feste is the clever and witty Fool in Shakespeare's play 'Twelfth Night,' who uses disguise and wordplay to convey deeper truths about the nature of love and identity. He operates in a world where appearances are often deceptive, and his role highlights the complexities of human relationships through humor and song. Feste embodies the themes of mistaken identity, revelry, and the connection between folly and wisdom.
Gender Roles: Gender roles refer to the societal norms and expectations that dictate how individuals should behave, dress, and interact based on their perceived gender. These roles often influence power dynamics and personal relationships within society, shaping individual identities and interactions. In various literary contexts, including the interplay of themes and characters or through the use of disguise and mistaken identity, gender roles can be subverted, challenged, or reinforced, highlighting the complexities of human behavior and social expectations.
Identity confusion: Identity confusion refers to a state where individuals experience uncertainty or ambiguity about their own sense of self, often due to external influences or internal conflicts. This theme plays a significant role in narratives involving disguise and mistaken identity, where characters navigate complex situations that challenge their perceptions of who they are and how they fit into the world around them. Such confusion can lead to comedic situations, deep emotional struggles, or even moral dilemmas, ultimately revealing the intricacies of human identity and societal roles.
Love triangle: A love triangle is a romantic relationship involving three people, where one person is typically torn between two love interests. This scenario often leads to complications and conflicts as emotions and allegiances shift among the individuals involved. Love triangles are frequently used in literature and drama to explore themes of desire, jealousy, and the complexities of human relationships, particularly through the lens of disguise and mistaken identity.
Malvolio: Malvolio is a character from Shakespeare's play 'Twelfth Night,' known for his puritanical demeanor and self-righteous attitude. He serves as the steward to Olivia and becomes the target of a comedic plot involving disguise and mistaken identity, which ultimately leads to his humiliation. This character embodies themes of social ambition and the folly of self-deception, often contrasting with the playful and chaotic world around him.
Mistaken identity: Mistaken identity refers to a situation where a character is misidentified or confused with another person, often leading to comedic situations or dramatic irony. This theme is commonly used in various narratives, particularly in Shakespearean comedies, where it creates tension and humor by allowing characters to navigate misunderstandings, hidden truths, and complex relationships that arise from the confusion.
Olivia: Olivia is a central character in Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night,' known for her beauty, wealth, and strong will. She initially isolates herself from society due to grief over her brother's death but eventually becomes a figure of romantic desire as multiple characters seek her love. Her evolution reflects themes of gender roles and identity, showcasing a woman's agency in a male-dominated world while also navigating the complexities of love and disguise.
Revelation of true identities: Revelation of true identities refers to the moment in a narrative when characters uncover their genuine selves, often after a series of disguises or mistaken identities. This process serves to highlight themes of self-discovery, the nature of reality versus appearance, and the complexities of human relationships. Such revelations frequently occur in comedic or dramatic contexts, leading to pivotal plot developments and character growth.
Sebastian: Sebastian is a character from William Shakespeare's play 'Twelfth Night.' He is the twin brother of Viola and plays a crucial role in the themes of disguise and mistaken identity throughout the narrative. His arrival in Illyria creates confusion, as he is often mistaken for his sister, who is disguised as a young man named Cesario, leading to comedic and dramatic situations.
Self-discovery: Self-discovery refers to the process of gaining insight into one's own character, values, and beliefs. In literature, it often unfolds through experiences that challenge characters' perceptions of themselves and their roles in the world. The use of disguise and mistaken identity in stories can act as catalysts for self-discovery, allowing characters to explore different facets of their identities and confront inner conflicts they might otherwise avoid.
Sir Andrew Aguecheek: Sir Andrew Aguecheek is a comical character in Shakespeare's play 'Twelfth Night,' known for his foolishness, lack of self-awareness, and misguided pursuits of love. He is often seen as a foil to the more cunning characters in the play, highlighting the themes of disguise and mistaken identity through his interactions with others, especially in his attempts to win the affections of Olivia while being manipulated by Sir Toby Belch.
Social Expectations: Social expectations are the unwritten rules and norms that dictate how individuals should behave in society. These expectations shape individuals' roles and interactions, often influencing identity and actions, especially when it comes to appearance, behavior, and relationships. In literature, social expectations play a critical role in character development and plot progression, particularly through themes like disguise and mistaken identity.
Subversion of gender norms: Subversion of gender norms refers to the act of challenging or overturning traditional expectations associated with masculinity and femininity. This can manifest through various means, such as characters adopting roles or behaviors typically assigned to the opposite gender, which questions societal standards. This concept often highlights the fluidity of gender identity and roles, illustrating how they can be constructed and deconstructed through performance and disguise.
Twelfth Night: Twelfth Night is a comedy by William Shakespeare that explores themes of love, identity, and the complexities of human relationships. The play is structured around comedic elements such as mistaken identities, love triangles, and humorous situations that often arise from characters disguising themselves or misunderstanding each other's intentions. This combination of wit, revelry, and social commentary reflects the conventions of Shakespearean comedy and highlights the transformative power of disguise and the spirit of celebration.
Viola: Viola is a central character in Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night,' known for her intelligence, resourcefulness, and ability to navigate complex social situations. Her journey as she disguises herself as a man, Cesario, allows her to challenge traditional gender roles and explore themes of identity while also driving the plot through her interactions with other characters.