ipl-logo

Twelfth Night Deception Essay

1889 Words8 Pages

The theme of deception is a highly notable theme in both ‘Twelfth Night’ and ‘The Rivals’. There are a number of different deceptions used in both plays. The characters in ‘Twelfth Night’ constantly disguise themselves or play parts in order to trick and deceive those around them. One of the most notable deceits within ‘Twelfth Night’ is Viola disguising herself as page boy Cesario and Maria and Sir Toby playing their trick on Malvolio. The premise of conflict between the characters in ‘The Rivals stems from the beginning due to numerous deceits. One of the most prominent deceits within ‘The Rivals’ is Captain Jack Absolute disguised as Ensign Beverley in order to win the affection of Lydia Languish. Another notable deceit comes from the cunning …show more content…

Captain Absolute deceives Lydia; however his deception has no malicious intention as he does it for the sake of his love and affection for Lydia. However, while he is enthralled with Lydia, it may also be that he values money too much to allow her to lose her fortune. Jack truly does love Lydia, but as Lydia has fallen for his disguise Beverly he continues to deceive her in order to ensure she is happy as she is. It is shows that he meant no malicious intent when the truth is revealed at the end of the play. ‘I can only say, that it could not have been intentional’, The first person pronoun ‘I’ creates a personal and meaningful feeling within Absolutes words, it also reinforces the idea that Absolute was just looking out for Lydia. Much like Malvolio in twelfth night, Mrs Malaprop believes that she stands a chance with Sir Lucius O’Trigger due to Lucy deceiving everyone with the letters. Similar to Sir Andrew in twelfth night, Bob Acres deceives himself into believing that he stands a chance of receiving the love of Lydia with is enthralled with Beverly. Related to this, like Orsino, Lydia is simply in love with the idea of love due to her readings of romance novels that Lucy helps her hide from her

Show More
Related

Deception In Twelfth Night And Some Like It Hot

424 Words | 2 Pages

Deception characterizes the comedies Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and Some Like It Hot, bringing humor to life through physical and mental delusion. The film Some Like It Hot follows two Chicago musicians during the Prohibition era who, after witnessing a mafia crime, disguise themselves as women and join a Florida-bound female band to escape the wrath of mob leader Spats Colombo. Its predecessor, Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, recounts the arrival of Viola on the shores of Illyria following a shipwreck that leads her to believe her brother has died, as she disguises herself as a man to work for the local Duke Orsino.

Read More

Deception And Dishonesty In Shakespeare's Twelfth Night

508 Words | 3 Pages

In his play, Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare has his characters participate in the practice of deception and dishonesty of others - after all, the foundation of Shakespeare’s play resides within a lie. One of the major deceptions in the play is executed by the Illyrian countess, Olivia, as she repeatedly claims to need solitude to mourn her brother’s death in order to avoid Duke Orsino and his obsession towards her. This deception contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole by adding the thematic message, deception and dishonesty is sometimes the better option when it comes to love.     From the beginning of the play, Olivia is introduced as the grieving countess that has recently lost a brother.

Read More

Deception In William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing

1551 Words | 7 Pages

The concept of false appearances, which much of the work’s deception plays upon, emerges as even the play’s title has many facets. Literally, the title can be understood to imply that the action revolves around nothing; however, another interpretation shows that using Elizabethan pronunciation, ‘nothing’ was pronounced ‘noting’, punning on the idea of observations and consequent interpretations. The opening scene of the play sets the mood of deception that the readers are going to witness throughout the play. The play begins with a recent reconciliation between Don John and his brother, Don Pedro the Prince. Ironically, this

Read More

Examples Of Manipulation In Twelfth Night

430 Words | 2 Pages

Twelfth Night In the play Twelfth Night there were many themes within the play. For this essay I will be focusing on the theme manipulation, rather than the other themes. This theme occurs commonly in the play, but I will be focusing on the three most important ones.

Read More

Twelfth Night Deception Research Paper

600 Words | 3 Pages

In the 17th century romantic comedy Twelfth Night, Shakespeare uses the elements of deception to reveal that trust can diminish when individuals lie, thereby, deception can hurt the relationships of once close companions. Deception is a device that can only cause negative effects. Viola uses deception while hiding her identity: “conceal me what I am, and be my aid for such disguise as haply shall become the form of my intent.” (I.ii.56-58). Viola wishes to be disguised as a man so she can work for Orsino’s court.

Read More

How Does Shakespeare Use Deception

751 Words | 4 Pages

Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare is a play that revolves around deception and trickery. Much of the play involves the Duke of Vienna using deception to manipulate others and as an escape from his fears. He avoids the truth by disguising himself as a friar and no one questions him, not even the friar whose robe he borrows. Deception manipulates both the audience and the characters of the play. Deception has the ability to eradicate all sense of trust and faith in someone if they are found to be deceiving.

Read More

Theme Of Deception In King Lear

765 Words | 4 Pages

Throughout the play, deception is a vital element in the betrayal of both King Lear and Gloucester. For example, Shakespeare depicts Edgar’s scheme personality by saying, “A credulous father, and a brother noble— / Whose nature is so far from doing harms” (1.2. 192-193). By utilizing descriptions such as “credulous” and “noble” to describe Gloucester and Edgar, it reveals the malicious aspect of deception. Shakespeare shows the evil behind this deception by revealing Edgar wants to take advantage of the innocent for his own personal gain. In contrast, Kent’s deception is seen as, “If but as well I other accents borrow, /

Read More

Hamlet Deception Essay

1168 Words | 5 Pages

As the play starts with the death of the previous Hamlet, there is already tragedy that has poisoned the kingdom of Denmark. Tragedy is highlighted throughout the whole play and creates a dark atmosphere around the characters. This dark energy seeps into the lives of those in Denmark and influences many onto the wrong path. The theme of espionage is prominent in Hamlet, underscoring themes of deception. It is manifest in the furtive and self-destructive behavior seen in several characters’ story arcs and becomes a key contributor to the tragic consequences that result.

Read More

What Is Twelfth Night Mistaken Identity

362 Words | 2 Pages

William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night; or, What You Will, performed in 1602, includes many characters who assume different identities through disguise. Viola, a shipwrecked woman who believes her brother, Sebastian, died at sea, takes on the identity of a man under the name of Cesario which leads to several cases of mistaken identity. Malvolio, the steward of a noblewoman’s household, dons the identity of a nobleman after he is tricked to think that Olivia, the noblewoman, is secretly in love with him. Additionally, Feste, the fool of the play and Olivia’s jester, assumes the identity of a priest to mislead Malvolio into a state of madness. Through all of the different disguises in this play, changes in clothing play a powerful role.

Read More

Twelfth Night Research Paper

964 Words | 4 Pages

What is love? This question has troubled every human being’s imagination, including myself. For some it is happiness and joy, for others, it is grief and sadness. Love can be a turning point in many people's lives as it may break their heart or make their day. Love is one of the most complex and confusing emotions that humans possess and can be so easily misunderstood.

Read More

Twelfth Night Narcissism Analysis

984 Words | 4 Pages

Vanity, one of Twelfth Night 's major concerns, is displayed throughout the play by characters who are plagued with emotional conditions which prevent them from loving others. The lives of Illyria 's Duke Orsino and Countess Olivia, for example, remain circumscribed by vanity and narcissism. Similarly, Olivia 's steward, Malvolio, remains encumbered by vanity and narcissism, while Olivia 's Uncle Toby shows himself to be selfish, and his drinking partner, Sir Andrew, stands as a caricature of vanity. In contrast, Viola, an outsider shipwrecked upon Illyria 's shore, suffers solely from grief for her sea-drowned twin brother. In further contrast, Olivia 's lady-in-waiting, Maria, displays none of these characteristics, but instead operates as the play

Read More

Gender Roles In Twelfth Night

1417 Words | 6 Pages

In Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, disguise, gender roles, and goal setting all played a huge part in the making of arguably his best piece of work. Shakespeare’s plays were appealing and excellently composed. In his play, one character wears a mask to finish an objective, while others use non-literal camouflages. These thoughts are best exemplified in Twelfth Night, written by Shakespeare in the time of 1599 and 1601. In this parody, Viola, the primary female hero, dresses as a man to look the nation of Illyria for her sibling, Sebastian, who was lost adrift amid a tempest.

Read More

Twelfth Night Research Paper

668 Words | 3 Pages

The story of Twelfth Night has a main focus of love, the play itself is a romantic comedy. Shakespeare examines different types of love: true love, friendship, and the idea of love. Shakespeare carefully illustrates the emotion of love with a lot of detail, and you will notice that most of the characters are only in love with the idea of love. Twelfth Night consist of many different types of love and many different people loving everyone and anyone , however most of the characters do not care to believe that their feelings toward the other characters are fake. They are being easily fooled by themselves and others around them.

Read More

Reflection On Twelfth Night

778 Words | 4 Pages

Mubin Hira PERFORMANCE TREATMENT #1 Going to my first play ever was an experience that I will always remember. Being brand new to the theatre world, I didn’t know what to expect when I walked into the grand Krannert Center. It was a different atmosphere; almost unreal. Attending Twelfth Night, or What You Will in person was an amazing experience.

Read More

Theme Of Disguise In Twelfth Night

1043 Words | 5 Pages

In the play Twelfth Night, through the depiction of Orsino’s and Viola’s desires for romantic love, Shakespeare portrays how adjustable and self-delusional human romantic attraction can be, especially when blinded by wants and needs. Viola, who puts on the appearance of a man, makes everybody think she is a male. Her disguise becomes a sexual confusion throughout the play for several characters, creating an odd love triangle where Viola loves Duke Orsino, who loves Oliva, which then on the other hand loves Viola, in disguise as Cesario. On the other hand, Malvolio dreams of marrying his beloved Olivia, and gaining authority over his superiors, like Sir Toby. Shakespeare uses disguise in the play to show several confusions and internal conflicts between the characters, proving how malleable and deluded some human attractions can be.

Read More

More about Twelfth Night Deception Essay

Related Topics

Open Document