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Deception In Shakespeare's Twelfth Night

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Deception in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night captivates readers and spectators with a new twist around every corner. There are a vast amount of themes in this play but, deception has the biggest impact on the comedy. Deception alters the characters views and their mindset on important issues in the play. In chronological order, Viola disguising herself as a man, and deceiving everyone she meets. Maria, Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Fabian trick Malvolio into thinking Lady Olivia has fallen in love with him. Feste makes Malvolio think he is talking to a man named Sir Topas in the dark chamber with him. These are all crucial examples of how deception varies the mindset and views of the characters.
The first example of deception in the play is Viola disguising herself as a man. To gain employment under Duke Orsino she masquerades herself as Cesario, and tricks everyone she comes in contact with. This is proven when Valentine confronts Cesario, “… he hath known you but three days, and already you are no stranger” (1, 4, 2 - 4). Within three days Viola has deceived Duke Orsino and his servants. Next, Lady Olivia has just met ‘Cesario’ and is not only tricked, but Lady Olivia falls in love with ‘him’. This is proven when Lady Olivia orders Malvolio, “Run after that peevish …show more content…

Twelfth Night has deception through the entire play. It changes the characters perspective on things, it can change their mind-set, and how they think. Deception occurs often in Twelfth Night, when Viola disguises herself as a man, and deceives everyone she meets. Then, when Malvolio is tricked by Maria, Sir Andrew, Sir Toby, and Fabian into believing Lady Olivia loves him. Lastly, when Malvolio is deceived by Feste into thinking there is a man named Sir Topas in the dark room with him. Deception has one of the biggest roles in the play, to deceive, making characters start believing the altered reality they are surrounded

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