Mistaken Identity In Twelfth Night

Mistaken identity can be something that people can hid one’s true self behind. While for some it may be accidental, though others may feel safer behind this ‘wall’ they have created in front of themselves. In the play “Twelfth Night”, William Shakespeare demonstrates what mistaken identity does to a person, whether it be intentional or not. A young woman, Viola, is washed ashore after a shipwreck and decides to disguise herself as the male Cesario. Now as Cesario, she works as page for Duke Orsino and becomes entangled in a disastrous mess of identity confusion. “Twelfth Night,” displays the misunderstanding that follows mistaken identity, and how some people are confused, others seek refuge in it, while some do it to purposely imitate someone.

Being mistakenly identified can put people into awkward situations leaving them unsure as to what to do. In “Twelfth Night” Sebastian – Viola’s twin brother – appears on the scene looking identical to ‘Cesario.’ Arriving, while everyone is in great upheaval, people start beating up Sebastian and he asks, “Are all the people mad?” (IV.i.26-27). Many of the characters are outrage at ‘Cesario’ but unknowingly take it out on Sebastian. It is evident that Sebastian is confused when he says, “O prithee, vent they folly somewhere else. Thou know’st not me.” (IV.i.10-11). Not only is Sebastian baffled so are the characters, who believe him to be ‘Cesario.’ When I was thirteen years old, I was on a vacation in Kelowna, B.C. and was carrying my two and half month old baby sister around a gift shop. Two women suddenly came up to me and were cooing over my sister and then abruptly said “You look amazing for just having a baby!” and then walked off. I stood there smiling, debating what I should do, I could just smile and go along with it, or I could go and explain. Mistaken identity can be a put someone into an uncomfortable situation causing confusion, yet everyone responds in their own

In “Twelfth Night” Viola seeks refuge in a mistaken identity “O that I served that lady, and might not be deliver’d to the world” (I.ii. 42-43). Trying to find a way to hide herself and have others mistake her as a young man. Seeking shelter in her mistaken identity Viola shows another perspective of a misinterpreted identity that is evident throughout the plot of “Twelfth Night”. Despite the fact that Viola can conceal herself beneath her ‘Cesario’ front, she is unable to profess her deep love for Orsino, the duke. Viola realizes the predicament she is situated in stating “Disguise, I see, thou art a wickedness” (II.ii.26). Understanding that although her mistaken identity enables her to mask her true being, she cannot go on forever as ‘Cesario’. Similarly, I also disguised myself, but soon recognized that although it may be fun and convenient, it would be difficult to go on with people constantly mistaking who I was. For a school crazy day I dressed up as a clown. My face was painted white, I was in bright, wild colored clothing and pig tails. Many people had a difficult time recognizing who I was and stared at me oddly. At first it was entertaining and interesting, but as the day wore on it got rather complicated and irritating. A mistaken identity can lead to many consequences, everyone is their own individual, and some like to harbour the